Life Along Byat Ta Pan Sat Road

Life can be hard for the children of Burma. Live in a city? You might be working in a cafe in your preteen years. Tourist destination? Selling nik naks to any tourists that come your way. Or, if you live near Byat Ta Pan Sat road along the route to Mt. Popa, you might find yourself standing on the side of the road.

Several children on both sides of the road were just standing around when I went past. Why? Truckers that drive through the area will sometimes toss them some food. As my guide told me, it's a way to earn extra income for the family. It's a weird form of street-side panhandling. No signs, just a sad presence.