Portraits of Yangon (2).

Concierge de l’hôtel Sule Shangri-la.

The second visit of Yangon and its people looking for photo-portraits begins again at the Sule Shangri-la Hotel where my guide Michael introduces me, in front of the entrance, the most important characters of the hotel: The concierge always available with his broad smile as well as hostesses. Then we take the direction of the station past a large construction site as there are many in Yangon, where two girls with helmets work.

Travailleuse de chantier.

They pause and Michael approaches them for some exchanges and questions about their work. Then arrived in the station, we will see those who are in the waiting room.

Salle d’attente de la gare de Yangon.

A monk with an introspective gaze framed by large black glasses stares at me as if to probe, through the lens, the depths of my soul.

A girl who restrains herself to her mother sketches a surprised smile, a very young traveler lying on her mother’s lap discovers life. Coming out of the enclosure we meet a young boy who seems to wear the trends of the moment, large cylindrical earring like a coil of sewing thread, Levi’s cap screwed on an amused head to cross us and seeming to tell me “you t ‘s so cool … ”

Camionnette aménagée en cuisine.

In front of the station some itinerant traders of fruits, apples, strawberries, are taken in photos. A food vendor prepares some kinds of Chinese noodles in the back of her van.

Then further from the bus users wait for the next pass. We cross the streets of the old neighborhoods and linger in the shops along our way to China Town and the 19 th street also called “beer street” in tribute to the many cafes grouped that animate the evenings and nights of the capital. Yangon is cosmopolitan. Endearing by its inhabitants who smile despite the daily difficulties, at every corner there is a surprise for the photographer and the walker.

Le vendeur de feuilles de Betel dans le marché aux épices (Spice Market).

We make a detour into the “spice market” where we meet the local Betel leaf seller with his traveling stand around his neck. He seems very proud to do one of the most essential jobs in the daily life of the Burmese who loves to chew these leaves.