As in Thailand, street-food vendors set up shop at any convenient spot along the city's thoroughfares and lanes.

Yangon street scene

Some of the homes we saw apparently dated from the days of British colonialism.

Yangon street scene

And, regrettably, some are now abandoned and decaying.

Yangon street scene

Burmese script derives from Mon script, each character representing a distinct vowel sound, with many of their forms based on the circle.

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Both Burmese men and women wear sarongs, called longyi.

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

The main stupa at Nga Hthat Gyi temple rises in the background.

Yangon street scene

Buying flowers to present as offerings at temple

Yangon street scene

One of the entryways at Sule Pagoda in downtown Yangon

Yangon street scene

A streetside restaurant that could just as easily be in Thailand

Yangon street scene

The bustling Bogyoke Market houses some 1,200 vendors selling gems and jewelry, antiques, artwork, clothing, and more.

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Value trumps style at Bogyoke.

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Dress fabrics for sale at Bogyoke

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Yangon street scene

Street-food vendors, pedestrians, cars, trucks, motorbikes, and motorcycles all vie for space on crowded downtown streets.

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Yangon street scene

As in Thailand, most laundry is dried by simply hanging it outdoors.

Yangon street scene

This woman's little sidewalk shop offered a variety of items, ranging from women's blouses to packages and jars of food, even to antique coins, bills, and medals.

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Yangon street sceneBogyoke Market Yangon

Yangon street scene

It's staggering to imagine how anyone can ever figure out which cable is which!

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

Young Burmese nuns

Yangon street sceneBurmese nuns

A woman waits for the rain to stop after finishing her lunch.

Yangon street scene

Mangoes still wet from the rain

Yangon street scene

Yangon street scene

And the streets are alive with activity again, as soon as the rain lets up.

Yangon street scene