I dropped my daughter off at the
creche (daycare) and I had the day to myself. My first plan was to hang out near the cathedral and take photographs. It has been bustling there recently with tourists and entertainers. I was sure that I could find something interesting to take pictures of. Unfortunately, the weather interfered. It was threatening rain and hardly anyone was out and about. I decided to go shopping instead.
After my shopping expedition I spent some time in my apartment waiting to go back to the
creche. Thankfully I was home at the time that the rain clouds decided to unload on Strasbourg. Not only did it rain, hard, the precipitation was combined with lightening and thunder.
One of my pet peeves is being rained on. I dislike having my hair soaking wet and falling into my eyes. I hate it when my glasses fog up. I find it to be disgusting to walk in the rain wearing sandals. The water acts like glue adhering little bits of rock, dirt, leaves, etc. to my feet. Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable. I was not looking forward to walking to the
creche to pick up my child.
Part of my journey consists of veering through one of Strasbourg's parks. I would never volunteer to walk through there in the rain seeing that the park includes all the components that I dislike. There are drippy trees, huge puddles, and lots of rocks, mud, and organic matter that stick to my feet. I had no choice though, I had to go pick up the baby.
As I entered the park, I was not in a great mood. The rain had slowed to a dribble and I had put my umbrella away. I was trying to avoid a large, deep puddle when I came across a path of trees that were hanging lower than normal. The weight and severity of the recent downpour had caused their limbs to bow. They had not recovered yet. I walked under them, through a tunnel of dark green, shiny foliage. I paused. There was no sound but the dripping of water. It was beautiful.
It occurred to me that if I stopped focusing on the things that I disliked then maybe I would find some unexpected elements that were pleasant about being rained on in the park. Hardly anyone else was around. I basically had the entire place to myself. The leaves and branches were shiny with wetness. Subtle, new colors were revealed in the tree bark, the benches, and the pathways. The air smelled clean. It was silent except for the quiet whisper of the now calm wind and the drip drop of water from the wet leaves.
A lady was walking towards me with an umbrella. I had brought my camera with me and I decided to take a picture. I noticed some puddles surrounding a row of benches. I took another picture. Suddenly I realized that there were a lot of things to photograph. I forgot about the muck that was covering my feet as I walked around the park, snapping images.
Apparently my first intention of the day was the correct plan. I did spend time taking pictures. They just weren't in the setting that I had originally imagined. I am really thankful that the rain kept the crowds away. It allowed me to view some watery sights that I would never have seen without its help. I was also able to stow away my uncomfortable feelings about being rained on, if just for a few moments. Maybe I can toss that squeamishness away forever. It really is time I am over that. Maybe next time it rains I should deliberately walk through a mud puddle with sandals on? Hmmm....
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| The rain revealed normally hidden colors in the bark. |
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| My daughter's stroller came with a rain protection "bubble". Thank goodness! |
