U.S. President Barack Obama, right, waves as he embraces Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi after addressing members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama touched down Monday morning, becoming the first U.S. president to visit the Asian nation also known as Burma. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) U.S. President Barack Obama, right, waves as he embraces Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi after addressing members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama touched down Monday morning, becoming the first U.S. president to visit the Asian nation also known as Burma. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Myanmar students wave Myanmar and U.S. flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) Myanmar students wave Myanmar and U.S. flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) U.S. President Barack Obama (front 2nd R) and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (front R) tour the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon November 19, 2012. Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS PROFILE RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) less U.S. President Barack Obama pours water over a statue at a shrine as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton smiles during their visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon November 19, 2012. Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) less U.S. President Barack Obama (L) speaks next to Myanmar's President Thein Sein during their meeting in Yangon November 19, 2012. Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS) U.S. President Barack Obama (L) speaks next to Myanmar's President Thein Sein during their meeting in Yangon November 19, 2012. Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS) People holding a poster with portraits of U.S. President Barack Obama, left, Myanmar President Thein Sein, center, and Myanmar opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) People holding a poster with portraits of U.S. President Barack Obama, left, Myanmar President Thein Sein, center, and Myanmar opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) U.S. President Barack Obama and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi address members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama who touched down Monday morning, becoming the first U.S. president to visit the Asian nation also known as Burma, said his historic visit to Myanmar marks the next step in a new chapter between the two countries. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) U.S. President Barack Obama and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi address members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama who touched down Monday morning, becoming the first U.S. president to visit the Asian nation also known as Burma, said his historic visit to Myanmar marks the next step in a new chapter between the two countries. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Myanmar students wave miniature Myanmar and American flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) Myanmar students wave miniature Myanmar and American flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) Members of the audience listen as U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the University of Yangon, November 19, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS EDUCATION) Members of the audience listen as U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the University of Yangon, November 19, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS EDUCATION) Supporters waits outside of the home of Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during her meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Yangon November 19, 2012. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: SOCIETY PROFILE POLITICS) Supporters waits outside of the home of Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during her meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Yangon November 19, 2012. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: SOCIETY PROFILE POLITICS) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) smiles when U.S. President Barack Obama (not seen) mentioned her name during a news conference with Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after a meeting in Suu Kyi's home in Yangon November 19, 2012. Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS) less U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Myanmar's Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi (R) are pictured in the audience as President Barack Obama (not pictured) arrives to deliver remarks at the University of Yangon, November 19, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Myanmar's Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi (R) are pictured in the audience as President Barack Obama (not pictured) arrives to deliver remarks at the University of Yangon, November 19, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed Myanmar students hold Myanmar and U.S. flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) Myanmar students hold Myanmar and U.S. flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) -------------------------- YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Downtown Yangon came to a near halt Monday during President Barack Obama's historic visit to this once pariah nation. Crowds flooded the streets, workers left their jobs and a nurse even snuck out of the hospital to see Obama, the first U.S. president to visit the Asian nation also known as Burma. The country has begundemocratic reforms following a half-century of military rule. Thousands of people lined the streets for a glimpse as Obama's motorcade headed to the Parliament building for a meeting between Obama and President Thein Sein. Among the crowd were hundreds of students wearing matching school uniforms of white shirts and dark green sarongs. Many of those on the streets waved American flags and some held homemade signs reading "Welcome Obama." In a country where most "rallies" traditionally have been government-organized and demonstrations are still relatively rare, the seemingly spontaneous outpouring of support was striking. "No authority asked us to welcome President Obama. I am here to support President Obama and also to see him," said Soe Nyunt, a 27-year-old laborer who waited for Obama before going to work. Wai New Yi, 32, was disappointed that she did not see Obama as she waited near Yangon International Airport. "I didn't even bat my eyelids when the motorcade passed by. I can see the motorcade but I didn't see President Obama," she said. ___ Ma Than Than Win, 42, wore an Obama T-shirt and held a banner with a picture of Obama and Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy activist who welcomed Obama to the home where she once was held under house arrest by the country's ruling military regime. "We have never had the visit of a president from a big country like America. I came here because we believe that President Obama will be a big strength for Myanmar's democratic reforms as he is a world-recognized leader for democracy," said Win, an office worker in Yangon. "We want him to know that Myanmar people love him and have high expectations of him to actively participate in Myanmar's democratic reforms. And we also hope that he will help Daw Suu in her efforts for the country," she said, referring to Suu Kyi. Daw is a term of respect in Myanmar. ___ During their meeting Obama and Thein Sein sat side by side in large padded chairs, with the U.S. and Myanmar flags behind them. Thein Sein spoke first, saying through a translator that the relationship between their countries "has been progressing" and he looked forward to it strengthening in the coming years. He said he and Obama spoke about the need to continue promoting democracy and human rights. He also said Myanmar would continue to cooperate with the United States on those efforts. Thein Sein expressed "our sincere appreciation for President Obama's vision and support." He also thanked U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her efforts. ___ After the meeting, Obama made an unscheduled stop at the nearby Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most revered sites in Myanmar. With their shoes and socks off, Obama and Clinton walked up the pagoda's steep steps. With a gold-plated, 99-meter tall (325 feet) spire encrusted with diamonds and rubies, the pagoda towers over Yangon and is the spiritual center of Burmese Buddhism. The pagoda had been cleared for Obama's visit, though the crowds gathered behind barriers nearby occasionally shouted "Obama." Obama took part in a ritual often carried out at the pagoda — saying a blessing at a section of the pagoda platform that recognizes the day of Obama's birth, Friday. Obama poured 11 cups of water into a basin, turning to reporters to explain that he was dousing "the flames" of anger, hatred and other vices. ___ Suu Kyi, the former opposition leader who endured decades of harassment and house arrest in her struggle for a free and democratic Burma, welcomed Obama to her home for a meeting. Now a member of Parliament, Suu Kyi lives in a gated residence with razor wire along the top of the compound's walls. The house is a light-gray stucco structure with a red-tiled roof. The lawn is ringed with roses. The house has been renovated since Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest in late 2010, with a new roof and freshly painted walls. Obama thanked her for her "extraordinary hospitality and grace" and the power of her example, which he said "has been inspiration to people all around the world, including myself. Clearly you will be playing a key role in your country's future for many years to come as Burma seeks the freedom and the prosperity and the dignity that not only the people of this country deserve but people all around the world deserve." ___ As Obama stood next to the world's most recognized democracy icon, he mispronounced her name repeatedly. Ever gracious, Suu Kyi did not correct her American guest for calling her Aung YAN Suu Kyi multiple times during his statement to reporters after their meeting. Proper pronunciation for the Nobel laureate's name is Ahng Sahn Soo Chee. The meeting came after Obama met with Myanmar's reformist new President Thein Sein — a name he also botched. As the two addressed the media, Obama called his counterpart "President Sein," an awkward, slightly affectionate reference that would make most Burmese cringe. Note to presidential advisers: For future rounds of diplomacy, the president of Myanmar is President Thein Sein — on first and second reference. ___ In his remarks after the meeting with Suu Kyi, Obama also lavished Clinton with praise. Once rivals for the presidency, the two are traveling together one final time. Clinton plans to leave office as soon as the U.S. Senate confirms her successor sometime early next year. "This is her last foreign trip that we're going to take together and it is fitting that we have come here to a country that she has done so much to support," Obama said, noting that he dispatched his top diplomat to Myanmar a year ago after seeing "early flickers of reform." Obama told Clinton he "could not be more grateful" for her service and for "the powerful message" that she and Suu Kyi send about the "importance of women, and men, everywhere, embracing and promoting democratic values and human rights." ___ Associated Press writers Jim Kuhnhenn and Yadana Htun in Yangon, Myanmar; Jocelyn Gecker in Bangkok, and Matthew Daly and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.