The plane was making its final approach to Yangon International Airport. The view from the window had not changed much in the past 20 years—a vast stretch of fields with the winding Irrawaddy river running though it. There was hardly any sign of habitation. Just like countless visits before, the scene down below gave me a sense of solitude. It was such a lonely deserted sight and only when the plane landed did I feel relieved to finally see s