rain

every now and then, when not presented with the situation too often, i like running in the rain. it has to be a certain kind of rain, though -- one of the most important qualifications being that it is not very windy at the same time. i dislike strong wind in itself and when combined with rain the conditions become something i cannot say i would be a huge fan of. 

but when the rain falls like it did on this sunday morning, following the course set by its own weight, there is something in it that appeals to me. it wraps everything in a calming veil and tones the world down by emptying the streets with its unapologetic, continuous rhythm. when you run in the rain it may initially feel a bit tedious, all those droplets of liquid water in your eyes and ears and the puddles that wet your feet. but once you get past that you notice how fresh the air is and how good the rain smells, and you stop paying attention to the slight discomfort brought about your wet clothes. that's when it starts to feel great, and the experience is only heightened by the fact that most of the time you seem to be alone in the world. the rain falling to the ground is like a cloak, it creates a protective shield around you; and when you start to get wet to the bone there is sometimes this strange feeling of being blended into your surroundings.