Much like the Songkran Festival in Thailand but not as commercialised, the gentle Myanmar folk come out to play as the old year comes to an end.
A BUCKET of water is emptied on me as I step out of Yangon airport, into the hot summer sun. It leaves me drenched from head to foot, feeling outraged. The perpetrator grins at me and says, "Welcome to Myanmar."
The air stewardess from my flight walks past and gets the same treatment. She thanks him and continues walking, seemingly unconcerned that her once immaculate uniform is now sopping wet.
Not that I haven't been forewarned. This was, after all the water festival Thingyan. And everyone is fair game.
The Myanmar New Year, which fell on April 17 this year, is traditionally preceded by three days of revelry in which people crowd the streets and good-naturedly splash each other with water and hold community festivities. No one is spared as the Myanmars believe that the water would wash away the bad things that have happened in the past year, leaving one with a clean slate to start the new year. Old or young, they take the dousing with a smile and even thank the thrower for his "blessings".
When I complain to my host, Bryan Lim, he shrugs and says matter-of-factly: "If you go outdoors during the festival, that means you're prepared to get wet. Otherwise, you should stay indoors."
The first dousing was a surprise. But I soon got into the game.
What potential for mischief!
It is a time of light-hearted humour as people poke fun at each other. It is a time to hold impromptu water fights with just about anyone on the streets!
Expatriates and businessmen flee the city as all commercial centres and government offices close for the week. Only the residents remain. So if you come to Myanmar then, you will see a different side of it, where the citizens come out and play.
It is really good fun.
On the second and third day of Thingyan, we did what everyone else was doing - got into the back of an open truck and cruised around town, getting drenched and dousing people. We had our own ammunition - a big barrel of water - and everyone was armed with a pail.
Water splashing officially comes to an end at 6pm, when the government turns off water supply to the special pipes.
After three days, Yangon sobers up and reverts to its former self. The new year is spent in merit making ceremonies and other religious rites. Fish and birds are traditionally released on New Year's Day. Buddhists believe that releasing life from captivity brings prosperity, health and longevity to the person.
Offerings are made and blessings given by monks who perform prayers on the streets. All is peaceful once more in Yangon.
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