Name：Phone Myat San (Roland)
Hometown：Myanmar
Faculty/Year： 1st year, Faculty of Science and Engineering, System Engineering Department
Hobbies and Interests: Photography, listening to music, and playing instruments, especially love the guitar.
Q: Please share with us Myanmar’s uniqueness or special culture.
A: My country is located in Southeast Asia.
There are three seasons, which are the rainy season, summer, cold winter, and actually, there is snow in the northern part. Sandpaintings and Pathein umbrellas of Myanmar are very famous among other countries. Pathein umbrellas are handcrafted umbrellas made from wood and bamboo, and colors made from flowers.
Q: What's your favorite national holiday or festival in Myanmar?
A: It would be the new year's celebration in Myanmar which is called Thingyan.
We also celebrated the new year with the water festival annually which Thailand also has the same culture transition. We usually eat Mont Lone Yay Paw at the new year festival. It is made of shredded coconut, jaggery( traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar) is wrapped inside, or you can put in any other flavor, such as chili, as a joke to fool people(laugh).
Q: What were the biggest differences between Myanmar and Japan that you have felt?
A: The difference I have observed would be the walking style of Japanese people and the working time of Japanese work which is generally until 9 pm while in Myanmar it is only until 5 pm.
As for me, it is perfectly fine to have these differences and I thought it would be okay to work in both countries. Besides, the attitude of people in Myanmar is the same as Japan, both citizens have respect for each other. For instance, the politeness and respect people have between teachers and students.
Q: Is there any history about this cuisine, Mohinga?
A: The origin of Mohinga is still unclear. It is possible that Mohinga was invented during the Bronze age when people started to use food processing tools.
Hence, that’s the tradition of making rice vermicelli. Besides, there is also a reference that brings the history of Mohinga back in the Konbaung Dynasty. It was referenced in the poet U Ponnya's (Burmese most famous dramatist in the 19th century) Alinga verse poem.
Q: Please share with us your memories about this cuisine, Mohinga.
A: Mohinga would remind me of my high school days.
As there was one time my friend mixed wasabi into the Mohinga soup which I still remember till now. Besides, Mohinga also reminds me of my mum and my family as we usually have this food during family gatherings.
Q: Any recommended place in Myanmar to visit and recommended souvenirs?
A: Bagan is a nice place.
You can have a hot air balloon ride and enjoy the gorgeous view from above. Besides, Bagan is also famous among the photography competitions. Lastly, the recommended souvenirs would be Jaggery-peanuts candies and paintings painted in Myanmar.
