22/4/2003
This is the place of old barber shop which I introduced the other day. The building is under demolition. It is said high standard condominium will be constructed. Flats seem to be sold before construction. Hledan Junction is said to be the most congested junction in Yangon. The building to be constructed at the junction may have prosperity. Finishing touches have been given to the extension projects of roads and old buildings are also under demolition. I think of taking photoes of old scenes of Yangon. I have to study more about cameras. (K.K)

21/4/2003
Long-awaited Thingyan (Water festival) is over. On the new year day, people do not douse water. They call in monks and monks recite religious verse to avert from danger in New Year. The festival was noisy with revellers. But, I think there were very few show stages attached to the pandals. People went around the city in pick-up trucks. I came across groups comprised with those whose faces worn white colour, a group in frightening aloha T shirts, those who are in woman costume and some other groups made to be eye catching. Any way, the trend this year was people who wear large handkerchief around their heads. There are alot of children carrying plastic water container on their back. It might be heavy for them to carry the whole day although they didn't need to fill it with water. The photo is of people dousing water at a pandal. Revellers barely could stand the force of water came out of fire hoses and jet hoses two or three years age. Every pandal has at least two or three fire hose. Moreover, some revellers throw icy water at the people in cars. Already wet revellers can hardly stand the coldness of it. But, I didn't catch cold for weather is fine for consecutive days. After this festival, the rainy season is coming soon. (K.K)

11/4/2003
Our office will close from April 12 to 17 during Water Festival holidays. We are sorry for not being able to render service of reservations and amendents during this period. Yangon news will resume on 21st April.

10/4/2003
A staff from a near-by restaurant has worn beard recently. It can't been seen in this photo because it is thin. I think he has imitated the actor Min Maw Gun who won an academy award this year. There are young people who want to copy fashion and style of stars. The hairstyle of Dwe, the top actor and Yaza Ne Win who has recently become famous and straight hairstyle of Eindra Kyaw Zin are in vogue. Old movies are being broadcast on TV. Actress wore false eye lashes and actors kept long hair about 15 or 20 years ago. It may be a bit funny to see present fashion next ten years. (k.k)

09/4/2003
Is it a cricket or a butterfly? It is called "Payit" (cricket). Fried crickets are on sale. It is unbelievable to see creamy colour green caterpillars are also on sale. I have never eaten these insects. I have no idea who eats these insects. Crickets are on sale near Hledan traffic lights and near the entrance of Yuzana Plaza. A small condensed milk can of crickets is priced K 100. A mid-size can of cricket is sold for K 200? Is it more delicious than I thought? I intend to write this story after having a bite of cricket but........ (k.k)

08/4/2003
Pandals (Temporary places for throwing of water) are under hasty construction for forth-coming water festival next week. Number of stages for entertaining peoples is less compared to years before.

07/4/2003
There are conseuctive hot days in Yangon. Temperature in some city in upper country rose to 41'C. We introduced gunkino (Padauk flowers) the otherday. This time, a seasonal pink flower that bloom in this period. Perfect match of yellow and pink colours of the flower is also interesting although it is not so famous like gunkino flower. Mixture of gold and metal colour is said to be "golden" in Japanese. In Myanmar, Shwe is (gold) and Wah is yellow. Does this colour bring good luck to people? Moreover, people offer the fragrant gunkino flowers at the pagoda and make wishes. Pyinmapan takes the name Thingyanpan (Thingyan flower) because it blooms during the period of water festival. I took a photo of a fallen flower with light blue mixed with red. I like the flowers like Pyinmapan, which always take the second place.(k.k)

04/4/2003
A float for water festival was under construction at a high pace in the Kandawgyi Park where I walk my dog. The float is a figure of mythical bird (Tonaya) with tusks of an elephant, hoofs of a horse or a dear and usings of a bird. The float go around the city carring dancers in bright costumes. It reminds me of my childhood in Japan. The floats here are like decorated street cars in Japan. The water festival is a severe one compared with that of Thailand. I have planned to go round the city in a truck to be doused water. (k.k)

03/4/2003
It is located near Yangon university. Yangon Yatching Club is located at the lake with a good view. There are many shops along the bank of the lake. It was first time for me to visit there. The place appears in video and movies very often. A lot foreign visitor also comes here. Movies are shot at about 2-3 pm which is the hottest time. Shops are full of couples. It is also known as a place to date. (k.k)

02/4/2003
In this summer, lot of computer courses, English courses at the second and third floors of the building near the round building which I introduced the other day. There are a lot of copier shops, watch repair shops, typing shops at the building because it is quite near to Yangon university. The place is like city of students. At the class I am attending, there are a lot of 30 computer sets in a narow room. Every computer is occupied by a student. Among the students, there are also children. They seem to come this class to be famaliar with computer playing games. About 10 minutes, a lesson is explained to the students. Then, about five teachers go around the class checking students can do the lesson. My class is from 1 pm to 3 pm. There is five classes from 9 am to 7pm. I change the class of 5 pm to 7 pm starting from April. It is a cool at this period. Needless to say, teacher's instructions are in Myanmar. (k.k)

01/4/2003
I went back to Japan. When I came back after three week, the economy in Yangon seems to be rather stormy. Prices of cars have gone down by 50 percent. Exchange rate of dollar has also fallen. When economic bubble was strong in Japan, advertising fee and social expenses were cut most. The billboards on the main roads have been blank for this reason in Yangon. Preriously, Goodmorning Cake and with Htet Htet Moe Oo and Lwin Moe appeared on this board. It is in a situation that nobody can tell how future of economy will be. (k.k)