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Monday, September 7, 2009

Farmer's Market in Burma

On Mondays I usually go to Farmer's Market to shop for the week's necessities. Other than shopping with all the colors, smells and the sounds it offers, its one of my favorite places to visit.Whenever I go to a foreign country, to visit a local market is always on top of my list. As I already post about my local market, let me take you to another country for a very colorful one.
I went to Myanmar / Burma in December 2005. It was such a great experince for me to visit this magical but rather sad country. It was obvious that life was quite tough for so many people and I dont think that much changed since then. My saddest memories were from a road construction site where women were carrying big rocks on their backs while their small kids were just playing along side them..



This market place was from a town called Nyaung Oo. I remember visiting it early in the morning.
As you could see from the photos, women in Burma used a type of cosmetics on their faces named tanakha. They are mainly using it to protect their skins from sun, but they said that it is also very good for getting rid of pimples and frecles. Did I try it?? Of course, but not too long as I love my frecles and did not want to loose them.

17 comments:

  1. Wonderful scenes of market life. Thank you. I always wanted to visit Burma.
    BTW, I worked in the embassy of Myanmar here.

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  2. Interesting... I've seen that type of betal nut leaves so many times in India...
    Any idea, what is Tanakha called in India... Loved that women n girl in Tanakha make up...
    My Travelogue

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  3. Gorgeous colourful images. I've never been to Burma so you've given me a virtual tour. My favourite photo is the 3rd. The colours and lighting is fabulous. Thanks for your kind comments. I didn't know my other grandfather and this one only till I was 6 but the memories make it real for me. Have a great week. x Julie

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  4. I love market pictures they are always so colorful. I know what you mean about the road construction. I often see women in Nepal carrying loads of rocks and breaking them into smaller gravel with children either nearby or still strapped to them.

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  5. What a lovely visit to a colorful market. I was particularly interested in looking at the people - several look sad and weary - while others seem to be enjoying their day. It must be a hard life. We are so spoiled in the west.

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  6. Thank you for starting my Monday with these gorgeous photos. Like you, the outdoor market is the first place I want to see in a new country.

    About the smashing and carrying of rocks: I saw that in Ghana, West Africa also. Also in the tropical heat. What a life.

    Miss Footloose
    www.lifeintheexpatlane.blogspot.com
    Tales of the Globetrotting Life

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  7. Great photos! The colours of a market are always so vibrant!! Living in Ghana, West Africa I always love the vegetable sellers in the market. You can find an entire block of only tomato sellers - it's a wall of juicy red!!!

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  8. lovely view of the market there....can really feel the life of the place!

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  9. excellent photos. I love to go to food markets also and always try to do so. I love the photos of the "sun block." I like the fashionable leave pattern for sun block. I posted a mare and colt on my site today to start a series on my website from my photography tour. It was quite an interesting trip to the slot canyon and Vermillion Cliffs. Also, if you like travel photos, we have posted action photos from Buenos Aires, Argentina on our travel photo site, www.vivalavoyage.com. Have a good week!

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  10. Just discovered your blog and love your stories.
    How did the face cream work? Did it remove your freckles?

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  11. I love how the food is arranges so beautifully and colorfully! Fun to see how a culture of women paint their faces and for their own reasons. I love farmer's markets, knowing who is growing my food and thanking them. I sell my photography and beaded jewelry at a few markets these days. Often I get to trade for produce, the best form of money. Thank you for your visit. I am enjoying a visit to your blog.

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  12. gorgeous market, and such beautiful people.

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  13. lovely photos..i love seeing people in their everyday lives, so interesting. gorgeous produce colors

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  14. how interesting and how beautiful! i love the colors of their goods at their market.
    xox

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  15. That is such a smart thing to do. Visiting the local market will give you a real sense of what a country is truly like.

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  16. What an interesting, thoughtful post on the women of Burma. We see them on the news, but it is so special to get a glimpse of their everyday lives.

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