Tea Shops To Tri- Shaws:Tea Shops To Tri- Shaws:

How Hard Their Lives Must BeHow Hard Their Lives Must Be By: Sophia RinkerBy: Sophia Rinker

No matter how close we live we still fail to truly understand No matter how close we live we still fail to truly understand the differences between my family and the tea shop people. the differences between my family and the tea shop people. We live as neighbors and yet we lead completely different We live as neighbors and yet we lead completely different

lives. Here is what we found out just a few days ago and now lives. Here is what we found out just a few days ago and now we simply realize the differences in our lives. Our parents we simply realize the differences in our lives. Our parents run companies and go into huge businesses while these run companies and go into huge businesses while these

people make a living on tea shops and riding the local taxi people make a living on tea shops and riding the local taxi (Tri-Shaw) service. It is clear to see that how where they live (Tri-Shaw) service. It is clear to see that how where they live

truly does affect how they live.truly does affect how they live.

Khin Hnin Wey has no free time. She works all the time to run her family. She loves living Khin Hnin Wey has no free time. She works all the time to run her family. She loves living this way and she does not mind the work. She has two sons, ages 10 and 12. this way and she does not mind the work. She has two sons, ages 10 and 12.

Khin Hnin Wey runs a juice stand as well during the hot days of summer. The juice stand Khin Hnin Wey runs a juice stand as well during the hot days of summer. The juice stand is in her house right next to her bed. She sleeps at 12:00 every morning. Then gets up is in her house right next to her bed. She sleeps at 12:00 every morning. Then gets up

early to start another day of work.early to start another day of work.

The people who live around the Tea shops gather together in a room behind one of the The people who live around the Tea shops gather together in a room behind one of the Tea shops and they pray. They pray for good health and good weather for the next few Tea shops and they pray. They pray for good health and good weather for the next few

months. Some of the biggest problems they have faced are unhealthiness or sicknesses. months. Some of the biggest problems they have faced are unhealthiness or sicknesses. Money and business is also a difficulty in Knin Hnin Wey’s family.Money and business is also a difficulty in Knin Hnin Wey’s family.

Riding a Tri- Shaw is another one of the many things Khin Hnin Wey does for money. Riding a Tri- Shaw is another one of the many things Khin Hnin Wey does for money. Many of the people in the tea shop community ride them for money. The Tri- Shaw Many of the people in the tea shop community ride them for money. The Tri- Shaw

people in this village have to rent their Tri- Shaws for the day. It is a big part of Khin Hnin people in this village have to rent their Tri- Shaws for the day. It is a big part of Khin Hnin Wey’s daily routine. She wakes up then rides her Tri- Shaw then does her daily house Wey’s daily routine. She wakes up then rides her Tri- Shaw then does her daily house

chores.chores.

Chores are a big part of the people at the tea shop’s life. They don’t have maids and Chores are a big part of the people at the tea shop’s life. They don’t have maids and cooks to clean up and cook for them. Doing the dishes are one of those many chores cooks to clean up and cook for them. Doing the dishes are one of those many chores

Khin Hnin Wey has to do. They don’t have soapy water in a big warm sink. They have a Khin Hnin Wey has to do. They don’t have soapy water in a big warm sink. They have a bucket to wash their dishes.bucket to wash their dishes.

Betel nut may look disgusting or weird to be something you chew but it is another of the Betel nut may look disgusting or weird to be something you chew but it is another of the shops products. The people in Myanmar chew it and then spit it out. The man who owns shops products. The people in Myanmar chew it and then spit it out. The man who owns

this betel nut stand has his children run it for him. It is common for the kids to take charge this betel nut stand has his children run it for him. It is common for the kids to take charge when their parents are older so that they do the work instead. The older man reads and when their parents are older so that they do the work instead. The older man reads and

meditates most of the time.meditates most of the time.

Drinking tea is a social thing to do. It is just like going to the café. You meet friends and Drinking tea is a social thing to do. It is just like going to the café. You meet friends and talk to people while you drink coffee or tea. It is a strong business to own. They also sell talk to people while you drink coffee or tea. It is a strong business to own. They also sell lunch and breakfast at some tea shops. Khin Hnin Wey does delivery for Tun Tun’s Tea lunch and breakfast at some tea shops. Khin Hnin Wey does delivery for Tun Tun’s Tea

Shop and for many others.Shop and for many others.

Rice and noodles are a big part of the peoples meals. They have curries and soups with Rice and noodles are a big part of the peoples meals. They have curries and soups with their noodles and rice. Chicken and meat are also a big part of most meals. Sometimes their noodles and rice. Chicken and meat are also a big part of most meals. Sometimes

they eat Nga Pe or fish sauce. Some of the tea shops get money to make lunch and they eat Nga Pe or fish sauce. Some of the tea shops get money to make lunch and dinner for houses near by. dinner for houses near by.

Our general store is like a small general store, these people have a small stand as their Our general store is like a small general store, these people have a small stand as their general store. Eggs and rice are sold as well as snacks and chips. Jelly and toys are a general store. Eggs and rice are sold as well as snacks and chips. Jelly and toys are a

little more expensive here. And just like the seven eleven they sell soda and treats. Many little more expensive here. And just like the seven eleven they sell soda and treats. Many people also hang out around here too.people also hang out around here too.

CreditsCredits

A special thanks to all of the people in the Tea Shop A special thanks to all of the people in the Tea Shop community!!!!!community!!!!!

A big thanks to Mr. Rinker and Ching Ching’s group A big thanks to Mr. Rinker and Ching Ching’s group for letting me use some of their photos!!!for letting me use some of their photos!!!

Thanks to Rebecca for translating and to Julia for Thanks to Rebecca for translating and to Julia for her recording skills!her recording skills!

Hope you learned a lot from my Photo Essay. Hope you learned a lot from my Photo Essay.