Rain, getting soaked.

Twice this weekend I got caught in a downpour reminiscent of KL's sudden bursts, as if someone empties a bucket of water and goes away again; then comes back and empties a second bucket.  One minute, there's a torrent of rushing water and my trousers are getting soaked, the next minute the sky is clear and birds are twittering, and then, before I have a chance to dry off, it all starts again.

The first time I got caught in the rain, I'd just left the accupressure place on 11th Street and was on my way to meet a friend for a quick meal on 6th and Court Street. Later, I learned that our meeting spot was located in what was known in the old days as Mugger's Alley, back when this town was down-and-out rough. But the town has since undergone a boom -- a simple studio apartment goes for $300K here. Crazy.

Because I'd got caught in the rain, my clothes got sopping wet so I had to go home and change. I got to the Mugger's Alley eatery a bit late. The second time I got caught in the rain was on the day after. I was on my way to the Indian threading salon when the sky cracked open right on top of me.  I decided to brave it with my tiny umbrella because I wasn't wearing long pants like the day before and so I figured I wouldn't be as wet. I passed by a lot of people huddled under the eaves of buildings or window awnings, trying to stay dry. One guy had taken his trainers off so they wouldn't get soggy.  They all looked at me a bit funny, and when I got to the salon I realized why: the back of my shirt was soaked all the way through.

Fun, fun.

The rest of the day, it rained on and off. I almost didn't do laundry because it began drizzling at half past four, and I usually hit the laundromat at around five. But I decided I would go despite the rain, because I really need to spend the few hours I have tomorrow shopping for some kind of buah tangan for my adik ipar. And then, it and I must be at the airport by three, to catch a flight to Montreal an hour and a half later. I hear it's supposed to rain there too, on the days that I'm there.