The streets of downtown Yangon are like an 24/7 open market. You want to buy a pair of pliers? You need a new set of flip-flops? You have to get one of these plastic-antique golden-sprayed wall clocks? Chances are you will find an abundance of selection from street vendors at a bargain. But the city's informal trade caters for cultural products too: music, movies and books...If you're desperate for something to read, you might want to take a wander along Bogyoke Aung San Road about the region of 30th Street. It's not just the strip where all the cinemas are, it's also the spot to put your hands on second hand books. The majority of them are in Burmese, some are well crafted photocopy replicas, and occasionally one can find a few English titles. These will most likely be classics in rather tattered paperback form as well as reproductions of soft cover editions (the print shops that do these have mastered the art of forging pocket books, it's quite amazing).
Even if you are not buying, it's an interesting place for a browse through the titles dumped over plastic sheets, or arranged on shelves, depending on the (street) book store.
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