Thingyan (Water Festival)

Leading up to the Myanmar New Year, this year on the 17th of April, there are 4 days of celebrations. This includes soaking anyone, anywhere, whatever they are doing, holding, wherever they are going (unless you are a monk who seemed to be exempt from the soaking). It is a lovely way to cool down in the sweltering heat, but its importance lies in the representation of washing away the sins of the previous year and starting a fresh, sin free year. While Bianca and I got involved with water guns, unfortunately they didn't match up to fire hoses and huge buckets that were thrown at us. And although we had an amazing time running down the streets being the fun tourists (most got unbrellas out or stayed inside) it was unclean water, often from the river, and it is now no surprise that we have had to spend a few days in bed while our bodies try and rid themselves of the water that managed to squeeze its way into our tummies! At least we can safely say we're sin free though!