As the last western media journalist covering Myanmar I knew danger lurked \u2013 and there would be no James Bond to get me out<\/p>\n
One hot morning last March I walked into Yangon\u2019s St Mary\u2019s Cathedral as the best man at a wedding. The European-Burmese couple had made a swift decision to tie the knot due to uncertainty about foreign marriage rules under Myanmar\u2019s new military regime that had seized power just weeks earlier. They were also mulling plans to get out of the country as the army embarked on a shoot to kill offensive<\/a> against peaceful protesters.<\/p>\n Being a journalist chasing deadlines into the small hours, I complained about the early morning start to the wedding. \u201cWe want to wrap up the ceremony before we start to hear shooting,\u201d the groom explained. A few pairs of slippers near the altar caught my attention \u2013 if soldiers raided the church the women could change out of their high heels and run, the bride told me. Her mother grimly added: \u201cI don\u2019t think I will make it [if soldiers break in], but hopefully my daughters can.\u201d The risk was real as some religious buildings had provided cover for protesters.<\/p>\n