How to organise a homestay in Myanmar?
My wife and I are planning a trip to Southeast Asia over a long period (~5 months). One of my goals of this trip is to try and engage with locals, to learn about their language, culture and just generally socialise in a comfortable environment. I know that this won't be the case in many situations; as English-speaking Westerners I know we stand out significantly and I'm not looking to downplay any differences. But where possible, I would like to understand what life is like from most locals' perspective, for instance being able to visit a home and share a meal with a family.
My question is, how would I go about organising something like a homestay or a meal with a local family in Myanmar? I'm doing as much research as possible, but given its history as a relatively closed-off nation until a few years ago, there isn't much advice on how best to organise something like a homestay or share a meal with a local family.
Any advice would be appreciated.
(FYI - I have travelled to India and Indonesia before, so I have some idea of the cultural differences that exist. But I'm certainly open to any feedback, tips, advice.)
Best Answer
It isn't possible. I go to Myanmar every two months, and the visa application mentions this clearly. You need to stay in government-approved lodgings, and staying with locals is forbidden.
While Myanmar is a great place to visit, it is still a dictatorship, and the government still holds a tight grip on the country.
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