He had always been good at memorising, diligent at practice, and after more instruction he was happy to spend the decade from 1956 to 1966 playing the tea-house circuit.
Now running a tea shop, the traditional venue for political debate in Myanmar, he says he supports the NLD because he is tired of the country being run for the benefit of a small elite.
The curtain rises: The large teahouses in Beijing have closed up one by one. Yutai, the only one still open, has had to change its appearance and line of business in order to survive.
Hey Hey is not just for lounging - on certain days, they host game nights, food pop-ups, cookie decorating parties, live music, and knitting workshops that are open to all.
Steeped or boiled tea is served in homes, workplaces, tea houses, restaurants, temples and used as an important medium for communication in socializing and ceremonies such as weddings, apprentice-taking and sacrifices.