What is this lady selling?

(organization)
Hello ,

Well I can tell you in the last 18 months this city has changed dramatically as it opens up to the outside. The locals are loving it and loving the foreigners who are becoming increasingly common.

There are wall to wall ATM's that seem to work fine (unlike Greece), they even have mobile ATM vans, Japanese cars, all new, cramming the already congested roads, and yes lots and lots of monks. Many of the majestic colonial buildings are being lovingly restored, beautiful lakes and parks developed, a smattering of super cool bars and restaurants have opened. And I was there, just happened to be passing, at a major nationally historic event..

Yes the opening of the very first KFC in Myanmar. I was interviewed by a TV company :).. What did I think to American culture coming to Myanmar?
The answer to that is complicated, but some parts of the future I guess have to be tolerated for the greater good. Yiwu in China has eighty KFC's but is as Chinese as you can imagine, there are lots of "British" pubs on the Costa's but it is still undeniably Spanish. The world always was multicultural, here in this city there are Indians - Hindu and Muslim, Chinese, Japanese and a host of different ethnic local tribes cheek by jowl. But it is distinctly Yangon.

Can we do business here?
Should we do business here? There are people who argue that an evil oppressive regime who have only made (so far) small concessions to democracy shouldn't be encouraged. But my view is that ethical trade is good, that as long as people are treated fairly and with respect that trade brings jobs and a chance for small business people to get on in life. We are not here to do "big" business that lines the pockets of the generals, but we will pay our taxes and try to establish trading links with good people. Tell me what you think?

Impressions of Yangon..
Street food, lots of it.. very sociable. People crammed knees together round communal hotpots eating offal speared on sticks you cook yourself. Golden Pagodas of course, old moss covered vine clad crumbling buildings still in use. Typewriters still in use. Official documents need typing up it seems, and ladies and gents will do this job for you on ancient typewriters on street corners. This young lady does wedding certificates.

Friendly people, smiling and happy to see you. Guys in Lungis (skirts). Traffic is heavy but polite patient and well behaved, no excessive honking. Oppressive regime..? I don't know about that, but I haven't so far seen an army or police person at all. It feels very safe. It is a bit decrepit, broken pavements etc, but not dirty and uncared for like some Indian cities.

What to buy? Thanks for the suggestions some of you have already sent me!
At first glance (and this will take some time) there is a lot of handicrafts, lacquer work stuff is exquisite, heaps of gemstone articles, the ubiquitous and very complicated jade market, wood carvings. Of course Burma is an important locality for aromatics. But I'm particularly interested in this.. Thanaka powder..

Everywhere you go you see people mostly females but some guys wearing thanaka powder... I wonder if it could be an effective spa treatment (probably already is I guess). People here swear by it, keeps the skin young, feels refreshing, stops spots quickly, lightens skin tone. Burmese old people look so young.. they almost don't age. Could it be the Thanaka powder?
The lady at the top is selling small logs. It is Thanaka wood, look at the typewriter girl, lady in the KFC queue, lady talking to the lungi guy. all are wearing Thanaka.
You can buy powder you mix yourself, ready made creams. Or with a log you can whisk up a pure paste from the cut log surface. Some just rub it all over, most have arty designs or leaf imprints.

What do you think? This ancient beauty treatment as an Ancient Wisdom offering? They tell me it has recently become popular in Thailand. I met a guy shipping to America..

There are a million more things I could tell you, maybe next week.
Oh bit disappointed in one thing, I can find no green beer :(

Enjoy the sunshine!

David

Wholesale Soybean Massage Candle has been carefully blended using only pure essential oils and natural plant waxes. Jojoba oil adds a tactile and luxury feel to this warm wax massage.

These Luxurious Bathing Accessories, massage and exfoliating gloves and back scrubs have properties blended to create a real feeling of freshness. Perfect for spa and massage centres these scrubs and sponges are completely biodegradable and therefore environmentally friendly.

Fruit takes centre stage when displayed in this attractive eco-friendly, naturally renewable woven Bamboo Fruit Baskets. Available in Apple, Pineapple, Snail, Teapot and Horse- shapes.

These huge Designer Cushions with a vintage feel are so cute that we can see them living quite happily anywhere on the garden bench, the sofa or just as a display in the shop window...

Fun and decorative Solar Butterflies. Realistic flying motion, hovers with fluttering wings and occasionally flies in a circle - place in garden borders, shrubbery or even in a sunny location indoors.

Our retail display chalkboards are perfect for marking up all your prices, ideal for soap shops, or any craft endeavour. Perfect for artisan restaurants and deli's, pubs (those craft beers).