Whirlwind Trip

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

• In July 2015, Ivan Lee (M69) invited us to stay at his home in New Jersey. Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma were also invited to spend a few days before going back to Canada.
• Conversation with Sayagyi and Ivan was interesting. Ivan had an expensive hearing aid, but he did not use it. So, several questions and answers had to be repeated.
• Ivan took us to selected places in New Jersey & New York. We saw a victory parade of the victorious US women soccer team.

• Ivan hosted the RIT-UCC gathering at his house.
• Ivan asked Fred to join us in the whirl wind tour of Canada and US East Coast.
• Ivan provided his car (Mercedes) & gas for the trip.
  Fred drove most of the trip.
• Stopped at Buffalo & Niagara Falls before heading to Windsor.

Visit to Canada

Windsor

• We arrived at the house of Sayagyi U Aung Khin a few hours late. Sayagyi was calm and smiling. We had a brief conversation before Ivan and Fred left for a nearby hotel.
  Sayagyi graciously let my spouse and I spend the night in his guest room.
• Sayagyi prepared Mohinga and Ah Kyaw for breakfast for all of us.
• We paid respect to Sayagyi.
• He asked us to choose a souvenir from Windsor.

Ottawa

• We went to Ontario, but did not have the time to visit Saya Des.
• We drove around and headed to Napean (in Ottawa Province) to visit Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma.

• Sayagyi shared his memories and jokes.
• We all stayed at Sayagyi’s house.
• Sayagyi showed us around Ottawa.

• He then took us to a Thousand Islands for a boat trip.

Massachusetts

• On the way back, we visited Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) and Daw Khin Maw Maw in Massachusetts.
• They live about 50 miles from Boston.
• Since they were renovating their house, they put us up at a hotel.

• We visited MIT, Harvard and selected places in the area.

Connecticut

• The next leg took us to Trumbull, Connecticut. U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint hosted us.

• They took us to see Yale and a restaurant where Bill Clinton used to hang out.

Rest of the Stay

• Then, it was “Home Sweet Home” for Ivan.

Side Trip

• Fred later took us to see his second sister in Philadelphia.
  Sad to note that Ma Kathleen passed away recently in November, 2021.
• We stayed at Fred’s house.
• He showed us around. We bought souvenir coins from Liberty Bell.
• He drove us to Maryland to see my lone remaining uncle.
• Then, we headed back to New Jersey.

Thanks to our hosts for the memorable trip

• Sayagyi U Aung Khin
• Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
• Ivan
• Fred
• U TAG
• Ko Toung