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The people we met in Myanmar were by far the best part about the country.
Despite very recent government repression, violence and strict military control, the people we met in Myanmar were friendly, kind, and open. Every person we talked to had a story to tell, and people were happy to share about their lives and learn about ours. Many people told stories involving themselves or family members spending time in prison for government-perceived dissent, however all were hopeful that they can and will create a better Burma for the future.
One of the most surprising things about Myanmar was being able to connect with older people there. Burma was ruled as a British colony until 1948, so many people in their 50s and older are able to speak fluent English, which is not the case in most of Southeast Asia. Being able to speak to the older generation who lived through Burma’s politically contentious eras provided fascinating insight and understanding about the country.
This photo essay showcases the beautiful people in Myanmar (Burma) and their contagious smiles.
Hsipaw
A young woman bringing vegetables into town.
A giggling produce seller at the morning market. She couldn’t believe I wanted her picture.
A fish seller at the morning market, waving off the flies.
This 90-year-old nun invited us into her monastery because she wanted a copy of this photo. After giving her the photo she was very dissatisfied. After lots of confusion we found out she wanted a new photo taken because she felt she looked too old in this one!
A novice nun and her father at the monastery.
Little girl on her way home from school.
The monk who lived on top of Sunset Hill in Hsipaw. He asked to add me on Facebook.
Train ride from Hspiaw to Mandalay.
Mandalay
Lu Maw and his wife, the woman on the cover of the first edition of Lonely Planet Myanmar.
The biggest smile from our lovely new friend on the U-Bain Bridge.
Young boys work as waiters at many restaurants in Mandalay
Kalaw
A mother with her newborn baby working in the sunflower fields outside Kalaw.
An old woman working in a rice paddy.
Young men playing Chinlone, a traditional Burmese game. Players control the ball using their feet and knees, and these gentlemen played beautifully!
A woman from a hill tribe village selling bananas at the morning market in Kalaw.
Siblings at a tea stall in Kalaw.
Inle Lake
Our majestic boat captain taking us and our bikes back across Inle Lake.
A lovely woman with impeccable balance.
Roadside repairs.
Lost amongst the colors. This woman sold me a gorgeous Longyi, traditional Burmese cloth worn as a skirt by both men and women.
A monk rests on the dock near a temple at Inle Lake.
Grandmother and granddaughter at their family run shop near Inle Lake.
Bagan
All for show, a woman smokes a giant cigar at Shwezigon Golden temple in Bagan, asking for small money in return for photos.
Father and daughter were our afternoon guides, taking us to temples off the beaten track in Bagan.
Texting monk outside a temple in Bagan.
Just what I wanted to know, how is the people of Maynmar?. Excellent publication, I loved. Perfect picture with the right comments. Great simple and peaceful people. Thank You.
Thanks for reading and commenting Fredo! Glad you liked the post 🙂
Beautiful photos of beautiful people! I have not been to Myanmar, but have always wanted to visit. The people, culture, landscapes, it all looks amazing. You brought up a good point about being able to converse in English with the older generation about their past, that must have been quiet the experience.
Thank you, Heather! Myanmar is a remarkable country. Hope you can get there soon. We can’t wait to go back! And yes, connecting with the older generation there is a really special opportunity 🙂
Funny enough. I have ALWAYS found people are the best of the places.
Great pics!
So true! People are usually the most memorable part of any trip. Cheers for the comment!
Very interesting place. This trip must have been quite an experience. I’ve known some people from Burma and I know they are very kind and open people, but their conditions there are miserable. You’ve got some great photos of them.
Thanks for your comment Anda. Traveling in Burma was such an eye opening experience, especially learning from people we met about past and current conditions there. There is so much we didn’t know before we went.
Wow, this is simply amazing. A beautiful gallery of faces. One of the best blog entries I’ve seen lately…
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it 😀
Wow!! such beautiful photos! we heard that the people in Burma was the best part about the country
Thank you! We think so 😀
Your photos are amazing and it looks like you have a wonderful time. Getting to know the people is one of my favorite things to do when visiting a new area. I haven’t been to Myanmar, but you’ve made me want to add it to my list.
Thank you Dana! I think you will love Myanmar, and it seems like it would be a great place to travel with kids too. It’s very safe, people are so friendly, and every day there is a fun adventure!
Amazing stuff! I find Mynamar fascinating & must make the effort to visit.
It is quite a fascinating place. I think you would love it! Cheers 🙂
Lovely Photos!!
I totally understand you guys, people are everything a trip. You can only really enjoy a place when you connect with the locals.
Congrats for such a beautiful work!
Nat
😀
I completely agree. People are the most memorable part of a trip! Thanks for your comment, Nat 🙂
Amazing pictures! I love interacting with local people, but I find taking pictures of them rather difficult as there is always the dilemma: ask for permission and spoil the moment or take a sneaky shot which sometimes may be undesired? Your photos are fabulous! Did you ask the people for their permission? Were they happy to be in your pictures?
Thank you! I totally know what you mean about that dilemma. I usually like to ask permission, in the local language if possible, or just using body language. People in Myanmar are so friendly and everyone I asked was happy to have their picture taken. I had some pictures printed of the old nun and the people at the market, and brought them to them the next day. They really got a kick out of it! I also take sneaky photos if I’m trying to get an action shot, but sometimes I feel weird doing it.