From what I’ve read about Pi Mai Lao (the Lao New Year aka Songkran), April 13th is the last day of the old year, April 14th is a transition day that belongs to neither the old nor the new year, and April 15th is when the new year starts. On April 13th (today), “Buddha images are washed, temples repainted and homes cleaned from top to bottom. In the afternoon, young people pour water on the hands of their elders and ask for their blessing in the year ahead.”

Pouring water over someone’s head is a symbol of washing away his/her sins committed in the past year. Nowadays, people use water guns, buckets, hoses and whatever else they can find to splash friends, family and passers by. We have been advised to put our phones in ziplock bags, and anything we don’t want wet in plastic bags.

On my way to meet Kenric for dinner, four Korean girls shot at me from across the street with their big guns. They missed. On our way to dinner, we saw a lively water fight party. Sabaidee Pi Mai!