Rain Man

Very soon it will rain. Very soon I will be home. 7th June is the day that it is supposed to rain in Mumbai for the first time. I will give it four days more till the 11th because that's when I will be in Mumbai.

I love the rain and the fact that I was born in the rainy season probably has nothing to do with it. The smell of fresh earth, the change of colour of the leaves from brownish green to bright green, the taste of wet whitewash type paint -Yes! don't know why but I loved it - wonder if it had anything to do with the lead in the paint? I remember clearly standing at the foot of the steps, just off to the side so that no one would hit me as they came running down the stairs, and licking the wall and loving the taste of the wet paint - "What a nut!" you might be thinking.I love looking at the rivulets of rain finding their way to join each other and form a larger 'river' in which I'd float paper boats if allowed to go out and if not then I'd have to be content with the imagination that one of the many twigs floating down the 'river' was a boat.I love the sound of the rain and especially how cool the place gets. I love sitting at the window and looking at the rain coming down at an angle (because of the wind). The swaying of the branches, the cloudy skies (make great photographs), the way the water runs off the leaves and I could go on and on. And this is only about the Rain in Mumbai. The rains in Goa, Lonavala, Kerala - one could write separate books about.I must add here that my job in the oilfield allows me to totally enjoy the rain without any of the worries associated with getting to work in the rain, or getting to work on time, or getting to work with clothes in a shabby condition. But I'm sure that if I ever have to work in the rain, I'll rise to the challenge and enjoy it.