Greetings from Yangon Myanmar (Burma)

June - What I have been looking forward to for a very long time - arrival in Yangon Myanmar (capital city of Burma at the present time).  Our guide, Mai, greeted us at the airport with traditional Burmese dress and makeup (thanakha).  See photo. 
The practice of applying thanakha is deeply rooted in the villages throughout Myanmar. Thanakha is mostly used to cool and refresh the skin. Thanakha means both "cosmetic for beautifying the face" and "cleansing agent". Country women also wear it as a sunscreen plastered all over their faces.  We even saw a few men and young children with painted faces.  That was a little confusing.  *See our photos

We were able to watch it being made in various markets.  We learned that the method hasn't changed in centuries. The bark and roots are stripped, soaked in water, ground and pulverized, using a mortar and a flat stone, into a fragrant paste (light yellow in color) and then applied to the face.  Thanakha is supposed to stay really fresh while keeping its fragrant smell for a long time.  Marybeth had a villager apply some to her face - didn't have enough time to take a picture before she wiped it off with antiseptic.  She claims it was "burning" her skin.  I think she was afraid that she would be turning heads around the market.  Sorry - no photograph!