Local traditions and culture in Yangon Division

When you are in Myanmar , you should greet to local people "Mingalarbar " . You can use this word every time and whenever you meet in wherever . When someone do something for you , don't you think you should say "Thank you " . Likewise , say to them "Kyal zu bae " or Kyal Zu tin bar tal " those who help for you . KyalZubae is informal and Kyal Zu tin bar tal is formal . If you want to say more polite , have to add "khan Byar " for man and "Shin" for female .
So , the polite form are " Kyay Zu Tin Bar Tal Khan Byar and Kyay Zu Tin Bar Tal Shin " .
If you have to leave , Say "Tat Tar " . This word " Tat Tar" mean Bye Bye .
Have a good talk in Myanmar !

4 more images

En función del día de la semana en que naciste te asocian un animal y en los templos hay altares donde se hace el ritual de verter vasos de agua sobre la imágen del Buda y de tu animal astrológico, pidiéndoles lo que se quiere ser en la próxima generación

Mercedes nació en martes asi que su animal es el León y el mío que nací en viernes es el Cerdo de Guinea

Domingo Ga lone( el rey de los pajaros)
Lunes Tigre
martes León
miécoles - mañana Elefante sin colmillo
Miércoles-tarde Elefante con colmillo
Jueves Ratón
Viernes Cerdo de guinea
Sábado dragón

Depending on the week day that you were born they associate you an animal and in the temples there are altars where they make the ritual of pouring water to the Buddha image and to your astrological animal , asking them what you want to be in the next generation

Mercedes was born on Tuesday so her animal is the lion and I was born on Friday and mine is the Guinea pig

ga-lone SUNDAY ( King of the birds )
tiger MONDAY
lion TUESDAY
elephant without a tusk WEDNESDAY- morning and afternoon
elephant with a tusk WEDNESDAY- evening
mouse THURSDAY
guinea pig FRIDAY
dragon SATURDAY

En muchos templos venden pajaritos para que los compres y los dejes sueltos
Simboliza como debe volar nuestro esp?ritu libremente y no debe estar enjaulado

In many temples they sell birds in order that you let them to go free
It means how our spirit must fly freely and must not be in a cage

Outside of some of the schools I noticed that they had the "Tobacco Free Zone" signs. Which is good to teach the kids. But I felt that they need to teach the kids the Betul Nut is bad for you too. Maybe worse than smoking!! I'm not sure...But the people that chew it believe that it is actually good for you!! Dang! It rots their teeth out! I'm sure their stomach looks pretty terrible too!!

Most of the women in Myanmar wore Thanakha on there faces and arms. It is a yellowish paste that is used for a bunch of different stuff...Sun Block , Skin Conditioner and make up...at first it looked odd to me but after a while it looked kind of nice!! LOL I was thinking about getting some for my wife but I don't think she would have used it!!
I took this shot of the lady working at a small hardware store that sold car batteries, TV antenaes and the nylon bags that you see her folding. I bought one of those bags from her to pack some of the extra souvenirs that I bought.

There are many of these types of smaller boats that have a small covering and they haul a small amount of cargo and are rowed by hand! The driver sits in the stern of the boat and crosses the oars to power them. I think it must be very hard to do this as the river is very powerful.

In the evenings I saw quite a few groups like this just sitting around enjoying the conversation and eating. It appeared to be a street stall type eatery but the people either were very friendly or they all knew each other. Maybe they all lived on the same street and just enjoyed eating there. This shot is taken on Merchant Street.

I'm not sure how the phone booths work in Myanmar as there weren't any coins being used when I visited...only paper money..so I'm guessing that phone cards are used. If anyone knows for sure you can let me know and I'll update this.