“What strange phenomena we find in a great city, all we need do is stroll about with our eyes open. Life swarms with innocent monsters.” ― Charles Baudelaire
One of the things I love about Asia is that life takes place in the streets. I'm happiest with a map and a stout pair of shoes. I don't even have to have a destination: the streets beckon and for me the journey is enough.
The street names of Yangon (the ones I can pronounce!) are music to my ears - Bogyoke Aung San Road that leads to Scott Market; Anawrahta Road, home to a Hindu temple; Maha Bandula Street, anchored by Sule Pagoda and with Bengali Sunni Jamel Mosque nearby; and Merchant Street, location of the Golden Smiles Inn (where I stayed on my second visit) and of a ruby market under a Bodhi tree.
I'm interested in the daily life of people - what they wear, eat, buy and sell. All are on display. The street is often a workplace - not just for the vendors but for artisans. Walk down any busy street in any Asian city of any size and you will find someone who can repair whatever is broken or rundown.
So you are feeling a bit peckish? Drop by one of the endless tearooms or pick up a street snack - judiciously of course.
Sometimes being a vegetarian is the only way to explain food preferences!
Not hungry but need a bit of a boost in energy. Head over to the betel stall where someone will fix you a leaf filled with crushed betel nuts and a dab of lime - not the fruit but the the white slurry made of calcium carbonate. But be careful - the betel nut will stain your mouth red and eventually rot your teeth. The lime will probably help build strong bones. Not the best way to escape osteoporosis!
Yangon is a great place for a stroll. I didn't find any 'monsters' but busy people going about their daily tasks. Even the Buddhist nuns had errands to do.
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Credits:
Janet Webster AKA The Silver Nomad