Getting Lacquer'd Up

So, I have to admit I was a bit cynical about our next stop on that busy last cruise day.  We went to Ye Ye's mother's lacquerware factory/shop.  I thought I wasn't a fan of lacquer, but their work is beautiful.  Carol even bought a large serving bowl and a tea pot (but that's at the end of the story).

We got a quick tour of most of the small house before heading into the backyard factory.

First Ye Ye brought us to an area that had pieces on a display table in the various stages of manufacture -- from beginning to end, and walked us through the process that takes, depending on complexity and size, six months to a year to make each piece.  Each piece, crafted by hand.

The workers get $20 per day, which is good wages, as well as a share in the sale of each piece.  It is a dying art, however, for two reasons.  First, the Chinese are making it more automated and cheaper, selling for less (the quality isn't as good, but people first look at price).  Second, it is hard skilled labor, and it is hard to find people these days willing to do the time in training needed to do the job.

We walked around the "factory" -- workers in the backyard of the house, working under cover (but open sides).  The craftsmanship and attention to detail is amazing.  None of them were bothered when Ye Ye sat beside them, patiently telling us what was happening at each stage of manufacture.

One important note about business in Myanmar -- loans -- be they for business capitalization, mortgages, cars, are not a thing in Myanmar.  Apparently there are now a few loans being made, but until recently you had to save up the money before starting a business, building a house, or buying a car.  Now, loans are still very, very rare.

After the factory tour, we sat down for a tasty snack of food from Myanmar, including Ye Ye's mom's famous (and delicious!) tea leaf salad, as well as sticky rice with coconut, and other tasty treats.

After lunch, we saw one more room in the house before being ushered into the showroom.   As noted, we bought a couple items, as did most folks.  The big souvenir shoppers, Val and Michelle, bought a whole bunch of stuff (which was pretty much their modus operandi!).

Everyone enjoyed the visit immensely -- our wallets a little lighter and our bags a little heavier.