People of Myanmar: A Photo Essay

Earlier this year I went to one of the countries I really dreamed of visiting. Myanmar, or Burma, as it used to be called, became one of my obsessions since it reopened for tourism a few years ago. And during my visit, after a trip to Thailand, I totally fell for its people.

People of Myanmar, despite being isolated for decades, or perhaps because of this isolation, are very hospitable, courteous and generous. Reserved, but still curious about foreigners, they will break the ice and blow you away with their captivating smiles. The people portrayed on these pictures are some of the many kind Burmese I met during my trip.

The Boy With Thanaka

This young boy was playing in with a group of kids in a field, when I passed by on my bike. He and his friends followed me, running and asking for pictures. He wears thanaka, a white powder from the trunk of the tree with same name, used as a sunblock.

The Charming Hawker From Mingun

While visiting the town of Mingun, near Mandalay, I walked past some small souvenir stalls and started browsing. This young girl approached me, offering traditional bags. I didn’t buy any, but still asked her if I could take her picture. Despite not giving her any business, she agreed and gave me the most beautiful smile. Very Burmese!

Zin Moe, The Painter From Bagan

I met Zin Moe while riding my bike around the temples of Bagan. He stopped his moped and offered me some of his paintings. Initially I declined, but he was so energetic that I agreed to only look. In the end, I bought one of his paintings and we continued talking for nearly half an hour.

Amarapura’s Party Kids

Just outside Mandalay, I stopped at one of the many temples. I could hear there was a party going on and many locals had their faces dirty with cakes. As it usually happens in Myanmar, kids approached me and one of them was particularly curious about my tripod. After taking their picture, the mother of one of them came to me, smiling and kind of excusing herself, and “painted” my face with a colourful cake. Naughty!

The Boat Worker From Inwa

On my way to the tiny settlement of Inwa, near Mandalay, I had to take the small boat back to cross a tributary of the Ayeyarwady River. Helping to pull the boat to the bank of the river was this young man, his distinctive arms showing the physical work his job entails.

The Young Monk From Sagaing

While visiting one of the temples around Sagaing Hill, I met three teenage monks. As we were at one of the more isolated temples, there were no other tourists around. I greeted them and they approached me with a lot of interest, but only one of them, a 14-year-old, spoke some English. The younger ones were more serious, probably out of shyness, while the oldest one had an easy, friendly smile. We visited some other temples together, then we said our goodbyes, as my driver was waiting for me. A few minutes after I arrived at the next temple, about one mile away, I saw the same three monks, who walked all the way there. I was heartbroken, since I could have given them a lift, but they didn’t seem disappointed.

See Also: Best Hotels In Taipei

Again we repeated the same routine of sticking together and trying to have a conversation. Just before I headed back to Mandalay, I asked them for individual pictures, which they happily obliged. After I got to the hotel, I was looking at this monk’s picture: his face looks exactly like the Buddha statue behind him.

People in Myanmar

To me, people are an important element on my travels. Spending time talking to them, even if for only short moments, enriched my experience in the country. Unlike some of their neighbours, people of Myanmar/Burma were at all times very respectful, welcoming, and are one of the main reasons I would recommend a trip to the country. The other reasons? Stay tuned for the next posts and you’ll find out! 🙂