Faces of Burma
What stand out the most from my short visit to Burma are certainly the people. One thing about the Burmese that make them so unique other than the longyis and the thanaka cheeked faces are their kindness and friendliness. In fact, some of them are the friendliest people I’ve ever met so far during my travels. There were many occasions while wandering around town we were stopped for the warmest hello and a small chat, and rarely got away with a sincerest smile. At first I was skeptical due to my bad experience in other countries, whereby if some locals approach you it could only means one thing; to trick you for an expensive touristy ride or coax you into buying something that you don’t need. However, after a few cordial meetings with the locals I had my perception changed and learned that they are just simply honored for having you visiting their country, despite the extreme poverty and the rundown environment. Burma has just opened up to the world, and after being so long shied out they are amazed with the opportunity to interacts with foreign strangers just to brush up their English.
A father tied up his son’s longyi. I was quite touched with the show of love and care, and this is my favourite photo of Burma thus far.
Monk in Yangon.
Another interesting fact is that most of them had in some point of their life working in Malaysia – be it Sg. Besi, Puchong, Kepong, Penang and Balakong. And they are more than happy to meet us – which I think, brought back their memories of the time they had in our country. They still remember a few Malay words and even share with us some valuable tips, a wish of safety and even come to help us with the directions, when they sensed that we were at lost. All that were given without expecting anything in return. You would immediately feel safe and less of a stranger being around such good people.
A smile of a Burmese Girl.
DH with a Burmese professor that we met at Shwedagon Pagoda. He showed us around the complex and explained about everything, which he said “so that you have better understanding and appreciation of the culture”.
Bubbly faces we met in the train.
Racial diversity is another distinctive aspect of the people. Although they are undeniably all Burmese in nature – similar, yet not the same. Their faces would remind you of every country in Asian; some of them looked like Indian, Chinese, Thais, Tibets while others really looked like Malays. Of course the Burmese will straight away know that we are not one of them just from our dressing, but more than often we are regarded as one by fellow travelers. If not for my passion for photography I think I will easily blend in. Camera is not common in Burma, especially if you are carrying around the obvious looking DSLR. Though some of them are camera shy, most of them (especially the kids) are as much curious as they are eager to get their photos taken. And they look stunningly radiant and candidly natural in photos, against the exotic backgrounds. What more a photographer could ask? I was like a kid got lost in a candy shop, grinning from ear to ear. There is something about Burma and the Burmese that makes me wish that I could just stayed a little longer. And that is saying something.
