Here, I reflect on what it means to carry. almost all my entire life, a passport that invites scrutiny; that requires advanced visas for most destinations; and that turns routine immigration appointments into nerve-wrecking ordeals.

And what it means to suddenly find myself on the other side.

Junta-organised elections begin today (Dec 28) in Myanmar, nearly 5 years after the coup. The votes, neither free nor fair, are being held amid civil war. This diary by a Shan journalist about a town's descent into lawlessness encapsulates what's been in happening.

kite-tales.org/en/article/n...

A Kachin journo wrote this 3 years ago. It remains pertinent. "Within days... old customers at my regular tea shop no longer had the same looks as they did before. They did not dare to speak as loudly as they used to. They no longer dared to watch news openly."

kite-tales.org/en/article/i...

As we inch closer to 4th anniversary of the coup, here's an old diary from a Kayah journalist we supported. Within 12 months, she went from having a stable life to fleeing into the jungle, with her young children, while continuing to work. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar.

kite-tales.org/en/article/m...

"You're welcome" he shouts into the void.

I wasn't sure, but then there were about 10 of those replies in a few screenfuls so I opted for both.