For those who are interested - Yangon has changed dramatically in the last several years. The junta has yielded some power and there is some opening to the world. This has resulted in a torrent of cars entering the country along with cell phones and all the major accoutrements that are easily implemented - plus a flood of tourists that overwhelms the outsider-oriented facilities in the major tourist centers. What hasn't changed is the terrible infra-structure like roads and railways. To update these is an enormous cost burden and, so far, the changes are confined to the Yangon and the new capital.
The roads and the rail are still in horrendous condition.
We were taking an early train to an outlying city and had to be at the train station by 6:00 AM . Few or no taxis are available at that time and, although the distance was small, the streets are lit only by light trailing in from surrounding buildings. The sidewalks are broken up and we were lucky to make it without a broken ankle.
The station is also dim - and we were the only Westerners there.
A local guy was happy to take my bag up and down, eventually ending up at what seemed to be the only active track. I gave him a dollar and he was totally happy.
