Before the cyclone hit in Myanmar (Burma) there was a huge celebration that I was able to be a part of.  Starting the second week of April the whole country of Myanmar starts their New Year. From April 11th to April 16th Myanmar businesses close the doors of their businesses and celebrate (WATER FESTIVAL).

The streets are covered with people walking and open trucks filled with people celebrating, getting wet. With the temperatures around 100 degrees and very, very humid, it is a sigh of relief. After the Water Festival we drove up to Mandalay and missed getting caught in the storm.

Some pics of the Burmese celebrating 7 days before the Cyclone hit in Yangon Myanmar

Photos taken by:   Robert Swetz