Water Fights

My brother frantically squirted icy cold water out of the green snake-like hose at me, while my cousins Michelle and Natalia snuck behind him with a heavy, plastic white bucket full of water. When I was shrieking just loud enough to distract him, the girls would attack, dumping the waterfall over his head. Of course he always got us back, but then we had even more reasons to invent newer, complex strategies. Summer water fights were the essence of wild and shockingly cold, yet refreshing childhood fun.

I never thought much about our precious water fights since then, but last week I was reminded of them on the streets of Bangkok where we took part in the annual Thai New Year water fight celebration, Songkran.

I felt like I was taken back in time, but instead of my cousins and I against my bro, it was everyone against each other, not in an evil, riotous way, but instead a playful, joyous way. Kao Sarn Road was covered with Thais of all ages, foreigners, water guns, water bottles, and clay. While Dominic and I walked down the street everyone sprayed us with cold, or warm water, or dumped it all over our heads. Some affectionately smeared clay over our cheeks while saying, "Happy New Year!"

My heart wanted to soak up every droplet of the Thai moment that I will miss next year. I love how in Thailand the city takes off three days of work to have a water fight together. I tried to picture Songkran in America, and for some reason I just don't think it would work. I imagine tough, drunk guys getting annoyed at other guys who got them wet, and eventually the water fight turning into a fist fight. Or even no one wanting to join in on the fun because they don't want to get themselves or the whole city messy, so only a few crazy teens play who are eventually stopped by the police.

But in Thailand during Songkran, the freedom to play and have fun that I had in my childhood was available for everyone to take and enjoy. I hope next year Dom and I can have our own mini-Songkran in Waxhaw, if you want to come and join in the merriment, just let me know and don't forget to bring your own squirt gun.