Unless otherwise noted,
photos on this page
© John Holstein

The photographer reports, "Burma has thousands of betel nut vendors like this one, also selling cheroots, cigarettes and snacks. He spreads white claked lime onto a betel vine leaf, adds chopped betel nut, catechu (medical astringent), tobacco, and sometimes clove, anisette, other treats; three leaves cost 5 kyat. The final product is rolled up, stuck inside the cheek, and occasionally squeezed (not really chewed) between the teeth. It can reportedly be mildly intoxicating." (Photo by Kaliher.)

Floating market
(Photo by Kaliher.)

On the bank of the Ayeyarwady vendors are waiting to offer goods and services to the passengers at a village stop mid-way in the day-long boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan. (Photo by Weigert.)

Mandalay silk. For a closer view, click here.

Hope I'm not offending anyone by putting this photo in this group, but I didn't know where else to put it. The monks go out around 7 each morning to collect offerings. (Photo by Kaliher.)

Snakeskins and furs shop in Mandalay.