On any normal day you’d be furious if someone dumped a bucket of cold water over you, but on Water Festival, the wetter you are the more good fortune you are likely to enjoy.
Though the Water Festival has its origins in countries like Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, each year the New Taipei City government holds an event, closing off some city streets for children young and old to let their hair down.
Some folks will give you a smile and a polite nod of warning before dousing you, others prefer to ambush their targets, leaving you unable to retaliate. You go home soaked through to the skin, but basking in a sense of well-being.