Negotiating the pavements of Yangon is no mean feat. Whether it's an exploring walk, market shopping or heading to a purposeful destination it is best to be armed with sturdy footwear, be mindfully prepared and ready for obstacles galore. They come in all shapes and forms. At times, forget the footpath and take your life in your hands amongst the taxis whose drivers sit with their hand on horns creating the most noise this city makes.
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| The road is the best option here. |
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| No looking left or right on this footpath. Eyes down all the way. |
As for the gutters, they must have to stand up to some enormous quantities of water in the rainy season. I claim to be 5' 3" and these gutters range in height from my calves to my knee height. A big stride up for someone vertically challenged. The Yangon river on the western side and the Pazuan Daung creek (a river size waterway) on the eastern side surround the city. It's not too far to the mouth in the Andaman Sea and the in-house ex-pat tells me that during high tides the waters backwash up the drains and flood the intersections. Heavy downfalls can cause some trouser rolling and shoes off to cross the road.
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| The big stride up. |
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| The mini step up. |
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| Small underground pavement repairs need only a few tools; the hands, a hand trowel and a bucket. |
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Protesters wanting to claim back their land blocking this footpath.
And a few more obstacles:
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| Ladies preparing sweetcorn to cook and sell. |
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| Food carts selling guavas, jackfruit, watermelon and bananas. |
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Temple entrance ways have vendors offering you
merit making opportunities. In this case you |
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