And so the monsoons have begun!

Rain rain come again, come again another day!

But the monsoon rains come everyday. The rains have begun in Mumbai and they don't seem to be stopping any time soon.

The city takes on a completely different face once the rains have started, but if you ask anyone living in Mumbai they will say that they love monsoon season! Public transportation is a nightmare, clothes get ruined, and feet are perpetually wet.. yet people still love the rains! When these shortcomings are professed, the people just nod their head (from side to side rather than back and forth) and with a slight smile they concede, "well, the rains are lovely from your window"... and I agree. During the first downpour I had just gotten home for dinner and the sun was setting. I opened all the windows and left the lights off. It was so pleasant hearing the pounding rains and feeling the fresh breeze draft into the room. The temperature had dropped drastically and when the sky emptied everything it had for the moment, the stones and cars glistened in the waning light.

View from my window on the 4th floor... you can't see the rains,
but either way the lighting was beautiful!

When the monsoons begin, they start off slowly, pouring hard then giving a day or two of a break. During the breaks, when the temperature is still high and the sun is glaring, the smell of hot tar fills your throat and nose. The tar is used to seal any recently discovered holes or gaps on rooftops. It is a toxic, chemical smell, but apparently does a brilliant job. By the time the second major downpour came about, all the houses and apartments were prepared... but I still had yet to buy an umbrella. When it poured for the second time I was out on a run with my roommate, Taniya, in this small park a few blocks away. It started to rain and I was hoping it would just sprinkle and move on its way... well, I obviously did not yet understand the meaning of monsoon season. We kept on running despite my roommates warnings, and got pelted with the largest rain drops I had ever seen. Initially I loved the freedom of letting the rain soak my clothes and cool my red face.  Neither of us had brought our phones and we embraced the momentary joy of swimming through air.  Finally, as the rain drops started to hurt, we took cover under a blue tarp that the small shop venders on the side of the road hang from the trees and watched as the roads began to fill with water. It was exhilarating, and I realized, the two extremes were what made people love the rains. They either relent, and let themselves get soaked, or watch safely from under a tarp until the rain wears itself out.

My friend Yoni and I grabbing a quick pic in front of the
Victoria Terminus train station

We met up with some friends, showed Yoni the gateway to
India/Taj Mahal hotel, and concluded the day with some delicious Pani Puri!!