1. 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 theNo matter how close we live we still fail to truly understand the
differences between my family and the tea shop people. We live asdifferences between my family and the tea shop people. We live as
neighbors and yet we lead completely different lives. Here is what weneighbors and yet we lead completely different lives. Here is what we
found out just a few days ago and now we simply realize thefound out just a few days ago and now we simply realize the
differences in our lives. Our parents run companies and go into hugedifferences in our lives. Our parents run companies and go into huge
businesses while these people make a living on tea shops and ridingbusinesses while these people make a living on tea shops and riding
the local taxi (Tri-Shaw) service. It is clear to see that how wherethe local taxi (Tri-Shaw) service. It is clear to see that how where
they live truly does affect how they live.they live truly does affect how they live.

2. Khin Hnin Wey has no free time. She works all the time to run her family. She loves livingKhin 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.

3. Khin Hnin Wey runs a juice stand as well during the hot days of summer. The juice standKhin 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 upis 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.

4. The people who live around the Tea shops gather together in a room behind one of theThe 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 fewTea 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.

5. 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- ShawMany 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 Hninpeople 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 houseWey’s daily routine. She wakes up then rides her Tri- Shaw then does her daily house
chores.chores.

6. Chores are a big part of the people at the tea shop’s life. They don’t have maids andChores 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 chorescooks 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 aKhin 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.

7. Betel nut may look disgusting or weird to be something you chew but it is another of theBetel 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 ownsshops 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 chargethis 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 andwhen 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.

8. Drinking tea is a social thing to do. It is just like going to the café. You meet friends andDrinking 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 selltalk 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 Tealunch 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.

9. Rice and noodles are a big part of the peoples meals. They have curries and soups withRice 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. Sometimestheir 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 andthey 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.

10. Our general store is like a small general store, these people have a small stand as theirOur 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 ageneral 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. Manylittle 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.

11. CreditsCredits
A special thanks to all of the people in the Tea ShopA special thanks to all of the people in the Tea Shop
community!!!!!community!!!!!
A big thanks to Mr. Rinker and Ching Ching’s group forA big thanks to Mr. Rinker and Ching Ching’s group for
letting me use some of their photos!!!letting me use some of their photos!!!
Thanks to Rebecca for translating and to Julia for herThanks to Rebecca for translating and to Julia for her
recording skills!recording skills!
Hope you learned a lot from my Photo Essay.Hope you learned a lot from my Photo Essay. 