Don't Forget Your Umbrella!

Hi Everyone,

We are in the midst of our rainy season in the Czech Republic…it can be a pleasant time of the year, but don’t forget to take your umbrella with you when going out and about! The rainy season lasts from May until the end of August, with an average rainfall of 2.53 inches per month. That doesn’t sound like much, but it comes down in a hurry! The rains bring forth a plethora of blooming plants, trees and grass! This country is one of the most prolific I’ve ever seen! There is something growing everywhere and anywhere you look! Everything is nice and green right now, too, and very pretty!

Yesterday, I was out shopping in Prague and had a nice afternoon. I came home to unload my purchases, and then had to run out to our local grocery store for a few things. I looked outside…it had been raining a little bit, but nothing too much. I got outside, and it started to rain a little bit—it was quite pleasant. But then, all of a sudden, the rain began coming down…straight down…and it was pretty hard! I was already a ways from the flat, and couldn’t really make it back without getting soaked. So, I thought it was time for my umbrella to be put to use. I opened my backpack, only to find I had forgotten it back in our flat when I unloaded everything from my backpack!

Well, there was nothing to do but keep on walking to the store. Needless to say I was getting pretty soaked…thankfully, the temperature was warm, and the rain was not cold…it was really quite pleasant. It reminded me of tropical rains like they have in Hawaii...just a nice, warm rain…very refreshing! I walked along laughing because this time I had no umbrella…it was funny…and it reminded me of when I was a kid and loved to play in puddles. By the time I got to the store, I was soaked…some people were standing under an overhang, near the store, waiting for the rain to slow down. They were laughing as I came up to them! I smiled and had to let some of the water drip off before going into the store.

I bought the things I needed, and then went out the door, only to find several more people standing under the overhang. The rain was coming down pretty hard at this point! So, I wasn’t the only person to forget their umbrella…that made me feel a little better! Finally the rain began to slow down a bit, so I decided to try walking back home…hopefully drying off on the way! But, as I walked along, the rain picked up once again! I couldn’t believe it! So, I found another overhang where I could wait for the rain to slow down again. After waiting a few minutes, it seemed safe…so I ventured out…and the heavens opened and another downpour began! There were no more shelters at this point, so I hurried home as fast as possible. By the time I got home, I looked like I had been swimming!

It was really a nice and refreshing walk, even though I was soaked! The air was so clean in that time…all the pollen was washed away, and the air was so fresh—it smelled so green. I can’t really put into words what “green” smells like, but that is the only word that will suffice—the air just smelled very fresh and very green. Even so, in the future I will make sure to have my umbrella with me at all times during this Czech rainy season!

You all have a great day!

God bless,

Sherry :0)

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