DAY 1 (5/9): BUSTLING STREET LIFE, Yangon, Myanmar, 2017.12.23

Like many Southeast Asian cities, the streets of Yangon are chaotic and energetic.  While we checked out the colonial architecture in Downtown Yangon, we also encountered the vibrant Burmese street life that included mobile street vendors, roadside eateries, and wandering Buddhist monks dressed in pink robes seeking for donations.  As a city of about 5.5 million, Yangon has the most diverse population in Myanmar, with Bamar the main ethnic group, along with Indians, Chinese, Rakhine, Karen people, etc.  Such diversity is reflected by the distinct cuisines available in restaurants.  With 135 ethnic groups, and bordering nations including India, China, Thailand, Bangladesh and Laos, the vigorous cultural fusion of distinct influences is strongly evident in the street food of Yangon.

Buddhist monks, including groups of young monks, could be seen throughout Downtown Yangon.  They came out mainly to seek for food donations.

Fruits and snacks were sold everywhere on the sidewalk, including the pavement in front of the City Hall.

Despite of recent controversy, Ang San Suu Kyi is still to a great extent the symbol of human rights in Myanmar.

There was a street market along the east side of Maha Bandula Park.

Some vendors were selling dry goods but most were actually street food vendors.

Snacks and more food at the east entrance of Maha Bandula Park.

The pink robes of the Buddhist monks stood out against the old building facades of Yangon.

Plastic chairs, makeshift tents, and temporary tables of street food vendors were set up at side streets.

With the happy customers at the street food vendors, the city was filled with a somewhat laid-back atmosphere.  Even dogs were having a relaxing time in the early afternoon.

We saw an abundance of fruit vendors at street corners in Yangon.

Lime, oranges, mandarin oranges, pineapples, bananas, dragon fruits, and grapes are the most popular fruit on the street.

Traditional longyi (a 2m long cloth sewn in cylindrical shape) is widely worn in Myanmar for both men and women.

Longyi comes in all kinds of patterns and colours.

Ang San Suu Kyi remains as the face of Myanmar.

Cold drink shops are popular in Yangon, offering soda, juices, and snacks.

Canopies of historical buildings provide desirable weather protection for street vendors.

Even the downtown area is full of a sense of community, with happy vendors and customers seem to know each other well.

This traditional bakery shop sells all kinds of cookies, sandwiches and bread.

Where the sidewalk was not wide enough, vendors spread their merchandise out to the street.

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Blog posts on Myanmar 2017:

Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT BURMESE CHRISTMAS VACATION
DAY 1: WALK TO 999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
DAY 1: SULE PAGODA
DAY 1: COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
DAY 1: BUSTLING STREET LIFE
DAY 1: GOLDEN WORLD OF SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE, Shwedagon Pagoda
DAY 1: EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A FESTIVE NIGHT

Day 2: Bagan
DAY 2: SHWEZIGON PAGODA, Nyaung-U
DAY 2: HTILOMINLO AND UPALI THEIN
DAY 2: ANANDA PAHTO
DAY 2: SUNSET AT OLD BAGAN
DAY 2: SILENT NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U

Day 3: Bagan
DAY 3: MAGICAL SUNRISE, Old Bagan
DAY 3: NYAUNG-U MARKET, Nyaung-U
DAY 3: SULAMANI TEMPLE
DAY 3: DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE
DAY 3: THATBYINNYU TEMPLE
DAY 3: NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba
DAY 3: SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan
DAY 3: FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U

Day 4: Farewell Myanmar
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR