Twilight over Burma, My Life as a Shan Princess
I checked out this book from the library because my NC close friend, Duang talked about the movie of the same name, plus the coup that has been going on in Myanmar since February 1st. I enjoyed reading the book. I learned that the last Prince of Hsipaw – called Sao Kya Seng was a good man indeed. I could sense how much he cared for his Austrian wife and his people. He was also leading with virtue and wanted his people to thrive with better quality of life. He was also planning to form democratic government instead of having him alone to make all decisions. Basically, he learned American ways and wanted to adopt what he thought were good in Shan state. I also learned that the military coup this year, 2021 led by Min Aung Hlaing was also as cruel and inhumane as the coup led by Ne Win in 1962 which was also the starting of the military ruling from 1962 until 2011. Well, and again now in 2021!
I have to mention about the Prince' wife, Mahadevi Thusandi or Inge as well. She might be just in her early 20s when she moved to Hsipaw. She was very charming, brave, very supportive, determined and well adapted to the life completely different than where she was born, Austria. Prince Sao and Inge were indeed a match made in heaven. It was so heart breaking when she tried by all means to search and contact her husband until she had to decide to leave Burma. Her depression also let her to a new enlightenment through meditation. I could not imagine how I could get through day by day when facing such a life and death situation again and again like her. I really wish her well.
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