I've just completed my first week back. All around me I see familiar faces returning after a long break away and there is a fresh buzz in the air of school leavers and crisp lined pages turning. I think that it is safe to say that I will miss this place when it is time for me to go (though that may still not be for a while yet - I'm contemplating postgraduate studies), and I will also miss the walk to and from my campus.
February here is the rainy season. The skies darken slightly with low layers of clouds and there is a long awaited verdancy. Yesterday evening's walk home was just delightful. It had been pouring heavily and through the window I could see the force of the rain against the world. I got completely soaked despite being equipped with an umbrella and my shoes would no longer cooperate, so quite simply I walked barefoot. I love walking in the rain, especially during twilight. The world falls silent with only the sound of raindrops upon the surface of empty roads to be heard. There is a vibrancy among all life that is rejuvenating for the soul and to see the soft glow from distant windows and imagining families warm and dry inside is comforting. This is only reinforced by the aromas of hot cooked dinners filling the chilled air, calling to mind memories from my childhood of a gentle urgency to be home in time for tea. I thought I'd share some picture that I took when the rain had momentarily stopped and before it got too dark.
Beautiful photos! I don't know if you've ever mentioned it (maybe I missed it) but what do you study? I totally get how you feel, I really love the campus I'm at and I'm going to feel sad when it's time to leave, I have a year and a half left of my MA.
ReplyDeleteI have a bit of a love hate relationship with rain - I love it in moderation, just not a whole month of it!
Thank you! Now that you mention it, I'm not sure that I've actually mentioned what it is that I'm studying on the blog before! I am doing an Education degree with Honours.
DeleteWhat is it that you are studying? Enjoy the rest of it!
I think I agree with you there - a month of rain straight is a bit full on!
I must say, I totally understand about the shoes thing. I often take them off if they aren't working with the wet (and of course if its suitable). I love walking bare foot through the puddles and the squishy grass, especially at twilight when its warm but not too hot. It's just so lovely and seeing all the lights and the families in their houses as you walk past is something I've aways loved. It's nice to think that everyone has their own little story and each house has these endless possibilities inside.
ReplyDeleteI love going to my campus, I'm only in second year but I still have about four years of study ahead of me to get where I want to go so I still have a long time on campus.
Yes, twilight is the best time for walking barefoot when it's raining. It is such a lovely, comforting and homey feeling.
DeleteI'm the same! I'm considering doing further study including a masters. Best of luck to you and your degree!
yes, i always wondered what you studied, too. but anyway, your fall classes/descriptions sound lovely. it's the little pleasure of walking in the rain, and loving it, that really make life feel good.
ReplyDeleteawesome awesome photographs, lady.
I really don't think I've mentioned it now that I think of it! I study an Education degree with Honours. Little pleasures are indeed what life's greatest pleasures are. And thank you!
DeleteI love these photos. Rain storms are always my favorite- especially the way everything smells right before it happens and afterwards.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Yes, the smell of the world when the rain descends is really quite heavenly.
DeleteWhat a lovely experience you described here, dear Lucy. Some of my favorite moments have been spent walking in the rain. Rain cleanses the roads, the sidewalks and the soul. I remember two specific occasions when I was caught under a sudden cloudburst without an umbrella. The first time was when I was a boy. My brother and I were walking home and got drenched. What else could we do but laugh? The same thing happened years later during a holiday at the seashore with my girlfriend. We got soaked by a storm before we could make it to the parking lot and our car. We giggled. We hugged. We danced. All of our senses came alive.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm just walking in the rain with the one I love
Feel so fine
Walking in the rain with the one I love
On my mind
Thank you very much for this great piece of writing, dear friend Lucy. Enjoy the rest of your day and your weekend!
It was lovely, indeed. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely memories. They sound just beautiful and I bet that you keep them close to your heart.
DeleteI love the rain, I used to hate it as we do get so very much of it here in the UK and it's usually very cold. But as I got older I learnt to embrace and appreciate it. I find the sound of rainfall in particular almost therapeutic, and love to watch it hit the ground. Lovely photographs, and I love your description.
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful thing to learn to do, I admire that. The sound is just like a lullaby. I have it on white noise sometimes when I can't sleep. And thank you so much!
DeleteThe pictures are amazing ! ♥
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the perfect little moment, I just love how you described it! I love those late summer rain showers that make everything seem so crisp and refreshing afterward.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah! It seems like the world is a new place after it has rained, does it not?
Deletegorgeous photos as always! how lovely to walk barefoot in the rain. I used to do this when I was younger and still lived at home in a little suburban neighbourhood. I fear walking barefoot in toronto you would be confused for someone who has lost their wits. ahah
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Haha lucky I still live in a little suburban neighbourhood!
DeleteOh its so green! Always so green after the rain. How great that you get to walk through a park. My walk home is down main road with shops and apartments who always seem to throw their rubbish out on the wrong day... haha The other side is federation homes though so i just turn my head to look at those lovely old ladies xo
ReplyDeleteI just love the vibrancy! I'm glad that you do have the other side of the road to peer at - federation homes are gorgeous!
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