Charlie Michio Turner & Gwan Ho Tong
The rainy season, or wet season, has come a bit early this year with the ends of Cylcone Roanu slapping against Southern Myanmar. The real monsoons, which come on a daily basis, don’t start in earnest until the first week of June, which is now. The weather will thankfully be cooler, but flooded streets come with their own set of challenges that should be addressed before they begin: chiefly, staying dry and avoiding dengue fever.
Umbrella. An obvious but necessary suggestion. Get the large cane handled umbrellas instead of the smaller collapsable designs. You want something sturdy that covers your back and front. Most business in Yangon having large pots outside their doors that are meant for umbrellas so carrying around a bigger one is not inconvenient.
Mosquito Net. Just in case you haven’t bought one yet, you should get one now. The highest rates of dengue fever are during the rainy season when there are pools of water everywhere, which are ideal for mosquito breeding. Every bed should have one, you can get a king-size one for 9000 Ks at City Mart or Ruby Mart.
Waterproof Footwear. Wearing open-toed footwear is always acceptable in Myanmar, this includes the rainy season. When wading through shin-deep moats off of every curbside you don’t want to be wearing your favourite pair of socks. Rubber rain boots popular in the west are unfortunately not local custom. Make sure to buy flip flops that are waterproof and slip proof. Alternatively, you can buy nylon sneakers or hiking sandals which will protect your feet better and give you more traction, finding a pair will involve leaving Myanmar though. Then there are Crocs, of course….
Raincoat. Yes, it is time for long sleeves. Nothing fancy of course, a simple poncho or windbreaker does the job fine, but something that is easy to take on and off. Unless you’re coming back from the gym, or decidedly not wearing pant, it would be crazy to substitute the raincoat for the umbrella. Use both if you want to protect your clothes before going into the office.
Quick Dry Clothing. Polyester or nylon are the best choices for the rainy season since water bounces off of them. Linen is the more stylish and comfortable option that still dries quick. Avoid denim and cotton materials which retain water becoming quite heavy.
Buckets. This is especially important if you live in an old house where leaks are everywhere. Scan your home, under pipes and drains in particular, for any amount of drip. Place a bucket or any container under a leak, no matter how small, before there is an unwieldy puddle. Change the bucket regularly before mosquitoes can use your own invention as a spawning pool.
Fans. You probably have many after the scorching hot season, make sure you keep them. A network of fans will keep away mosquitos and will help dry your in damp air. Make sure to fan dry your clothes after being washed.
Street Food, Think Twice. Locals are a bit more wary street food stalls this time of year. Food is often to covered from the rain or the pools that inevitably collect. Make sure you eat somewhere that properly covers the food and doesn’t have any ingredients close to the pavement.
