I took the 8:30AM bus and arrived in Bago at 11:30AM. The previous guesthouse recommended this bus and a new guesthouse in Bago. But I’m not sure I want to get stuck in this series of recommendations. I looked at the recommended guest house and I learn the entire city has a rolling blackout in place. This means there is 6 hours of electricity and then 12 hours of no electricity. During my stay in Bago the 6 hours will be from 11PM-5AM. Convenient!
I took a room and a different guest house for $5. I find that the shared bathroom is so dark since there is no electricity or window. There was a driver who wanted to take me around to all the sights, but I said I would try to rent a bicycle the next day instead. He wasn’t too happy.
I found an Internet Cafe for the first time in a couple of days. They had some battery and generator power. Nearing sunset, I walked to Kha Khat Wian Kyang, a monastery with 1500 monks. It was kind of a maze of corridors and at one point a point signaled to follow him, so I did. He brought me to a monk that spoke some English and I found myself in the living quarters. He explained 12 people slept on the floor of this room. He explained everyone was education from primary school through university education here. He took me to see one classroom. It was really simple, no desks, no chairs, just young monks lying or sitting on the floor with paper and pencil.
At sunset, I started walking back and I saw something strange in the sky. I realized these were swarms of bats. I could see a big line of bats coming over the horizon, something new to me.