They Call It Monsoon

July 13 2006

I knew when I came to Nepal that I was coming during Monsoon season. BUT, I kind of tried to be optimistic about it and pretend that it wouldn’t be so bad. I thought that maybe it wouldn’t rain so much. I know that when I lived in England, the city would shut down when a blade of snow covered the ground. So, I was kind of hoping for a repeat except with rain and that the people of Kathmandu were of the same mindset - a lot of rain to the Nepali’s was only a little bit to me. So basically, I was hoping their idea of a lot of rain was really not so much to Newfoundlanders! Well, it might have been good thinking on my part I guess… but let me tell you – was I wrong! Yesterday on my way home from Bal Mandir the rain started – then it got heavier and heavier until it was literally coming down in buckets! Jeannine and I decided we must get a taxi. My skirt was beginning to fall off with the weight of the water while I walked and my umbrella was only doing a mediocre job only keeping my head dry! The water on the ground was up over my feet and hitting the bottom of my skirt in some areas. Water was streaming down the streets. Motorcycles, bikes and cars were in water half way up their tires. People were still all over the streets as always with umbrellas and trying to stand under eaves of buildings laughing trying to keep dry. Once we were in the cab and driving I was looking at people outside as we passed. They seem to think it is funny when it rains that hard. I can’t recall that anyone finds rain funny home!? I love it here. Ha. Most people looked back at me smiling or laughing. I find it hilarious. People here are always so friendly and they seem genuinely happy all of the time. It is so good to see. But back to the taxi ride - I don’t know what exactly our taxi driver was doing. It sounded like he was stalling out every time he stopped. I do know for sure that he was having a difficult time trying to drive in the rain. The high water was a definite factor but I don’t think the fact that he was turning off his engine every time we stopped helped any. Taxi drivers here turn off their engine when they stop in the road to save gas. This cracks me up – I think someone should let them know that they are probably burning way more gas! If my Nepali skills begin to shape up a bit better I will have to share that tidbit of information with them!