Christmas in Yangon 2007
On Christmas day I set out to look for signs of Christmas in the local neighbourhood and maybe answer the question 'Is there really a Santa Clause?'.
The staff at the hotel are very friendly. Every morning they would go to a local restaurant to buy my breakfast of Mohinga -- fish and egg soup or Ohnu Ka Saw -- coconut and chicken soup.
Xmas breakfast: Mohinga and coffee mix -- a mix of instant coffee, non dairy creamer and sugar. It has a very rich flavour and gives you a good kick start in the morning,
The young ladies at the front desk are very helpful. They had an Xmas tree last year but not this one.
Yes an Xmas tree just down from the hotel!
"So Far So Good" -- for many trucks and especially taxis, I think this means if they are still working they are doing well.
A hand made "Merry X'Mas" decoration.
Tea & Food & Cold Center, I liked the idea of the latter since it is becoming warm.
Lunch at a little family run restaurant.
The father and I think the others are his sons or relatives. When I order lunch, they would disappear to the back and lunch would appear a bit later.
I thought this was a very festive looking lunch -- chicken with H.K. style tofu. Not sure what H.K. stood for. But it was very good. The tofu had a bit of a fibrous texture -- not the usual rather mushy texture. The sauce had a very rich ginger flavour.
The local temple, no signs of Xmas here.
Merry Xmas & Happy New Year and a Santa too,,, in a local shop.
The local market is in full swing. Only offices would take Xmas as a holiday or a half day off.
Yes indeed there is a Santa Clause, he lives in Yangon!