For those of us that are used to luxurious items, such as in-house showers, washing oneself in public seems like a kooky thing to do. Well, that’s not the case in Myanmar, where all washing seems to take place outside.
Rivers are not only means of transport, they’re big, flowing bathtubs. Locals, who are always wrapped in their longyi (sarong-type wraps), scrub themselves clean mere feet away from oil-dripping barges and restaurant left-over dumping grounds.
When a river isn’t available, there are street corner washing areas. You find groups of people, at any hour of the day, washing themselves, their clothing or their dishes there.

Street-side washing station in Mandalay
It’s most definitely a cultural thing, but I’ve gotta say that I really couldn’t go without the privacy of western-style shower. That, and washing while still clothed doesn’t sound that fun, either.
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