The best place for a casual Myanmar products shopping is the Bogyoke
or Scott market in Yangon.
Just take a taxi
everyone know the place, be aware that at 5
pm sharp all shops are closed. You can also
change some money there. But don't listen to
the guys who approach you there and wisper
..change money... don't do it they just will
cheat you.
If you want
to buy some products tell the shop people the should help you
to change. Ask at least 2 shops, now US$ and EURO
can be changed, forget all other currency, no one wants them.
If you are
out for sophisticated shopping, casual shopping will do
either go to the Bogyoke Market, this is the number 1 bazaar
in the country, if you cant find it there you wont find it
anywhere... you know New York, New York.
If you are
strolling around in the sideways between the halls of the
market to have a look for a good shopping and it happen you
see a lot of guys talking in small groups, taking out
some small items from the bag or the pockets, hiding it
somehow suspicious, well you don't run into a political
gathering but into a open air precious stones market. Lots
of ruby,
sapphire,
jade just name it changing hands.
The biggest
problem is to carry this huge amounts of the local currency
- kyats - around. US$ 1000,- - and this is
not much for a good precious stone - weight easily 2 -3 kilo of kyats, the
result is, most of this shopping business is done in US
dollar.
You will find beautiful paintings, very decorative
for your home are on
display, do a orderly
bargaining, you should
get it finally for about half the asking price.
A ideal item when you shop for a gift for a local person is
whisky, the best is Johnny Walker
whisky, the best not means because its the best whisky, here
everyone has his different opinions, but the Myanmars simply
like it best, maybe if you have some more money to spend
chivas regal is also very popular, or maybe french or
italian wine. Local Beer is quite of good quality, Tiger
Beer, Myanmar Beer, Mandalay Beer or the most popular.
Another excellent gift if you want to do something good for
a local friend is a box of chocolate, you bring a box of
chocolate and you are the sure winner, especially the ladies
like it. You cant get a real good chocolate in Myanmar, the
only stuff available are sugar and chemical "bombs" like
mars etc.
Don't hesitate to
walk on if you think the price is to high, they will either
run after you for a last ditch or
you will find the same item a few shops further down.
Beautiful
lacquer
ware and mother of pearl creations one can find plus all
kind of real antiques,
real old and very new stuff, but be careful let
them issue a official invoice if you buy anything which
looks old otherwise you get problems at the airport at
departure. That's the same with all kind of valuable items
like gold, ruby, jade, sapphire and so on. Have a look
around, its worth it.
