NYC is an amazing city filled with an advanced transit system, efficient services, polite people, incredible fashion and then it rains and all hell breaks loose. The flood gates open and it is literally a sink or swim attitude. Yes, waking up to a cold miserable rainy day can make even the most cheerful person want to crawl back under the covers but there is a different kind of nastiness that takes over Manhattan. Unlike other cities where it is a minor inconvenience to have to grab an umbrella or raincoat and stay dry from the walk to and from your car, there is no such luxury in this city. This is the city of walking… everywhere. Rain or shine.
The dogs still have to go out, the kids still have to go to school, groceries still need to be bought and library books still have to be returned. All of these things come with a very special challenge all their own, when you wake up to the driving wind and rain hitting the side of your apartment building. I am sure many New Yorkers call in and hide out. It is very tempting, believe me.
When it rains in this city the first thing that happens is that the sewers start backing up. Yummy. Here is the corner outside of our building after a LIGHT rainfall. Usually you can’t even walk across the cross walk because it is totally flooded. Word to the wise, don’t ever, EVER, walk into a puddle if you cannot see how deep it really is. Trust me, you only do this once to learn your lesson.
Beware of the MONSTER sized puddle!!
Secondly, the sea of umbrellas in the street is crazy! Ahh, the umbrella wars, this becomes a game in itself as you jockey for position on the sidewalk trying to make room for your little bit of tent space. By the way, the people carrying golf size umbrellas have their own special place reserved in hell. If you can make it to your destination without getting poked in the eye or soaked by someone else’s umbrella, consider yourself incredibly lucky. You would think that the large buildings in Manhattan would add some layer of protection from the elements. Not so!!! What happens is that the buildings create giant wind tunnels that make it nearly impossible for a person to keep their umbrella right side in or to even hold on to it at all. There is nothing more depressing than walking along the streets after a storm and seeing all of the broken umbrellas that litter the curbs. And if you are that poor unfortunate soul that has forgotten your umbrella at home, don’t worry, as soon as the first drop of rain falls, the umbrella vultures (my word for them) come out of the alleys and sell umbrellas to the cold and desperate. This IS the land of opportunity!
Jostling for position at pick-up at the girls school
Many of you are probably thinking, “Why not just jump into a cab?” or “Take the subway or bus?”. You would think that this would be a sane solution on a rainy day but no, it is not. All of the people that are usually out on the sidewalks have the same idea. Public transit becomes crazy. Subway cars are PACKED with dripping, sniffling, miserable commuters. Cabs are like little yellow elusive bugs. They are everywhere, but some smug dry person is already sitting in the back, laughing at the people getting soaked by the puddles the cabbies are driving through and splashing up on to the curbs. You want to hate them but instead all you feel is intense jealousy and the urge to cry. Is it any wonder that in a fashion forward movement that only New Yorkers could pull off, rain boots have become a totally acceptable and encouraged accessory. You NEED rain boots, remember that I mentioned before that the sewers back up? Here are a few samples of people embracing the rainy weather and showing off their wet weather style.
Loving the Skull and Cross Bones!
GRRRRR!!!
These are some SERIOUS boots!!
Ahh, the HUNTER, the classic Manhattan must have boot.
Kids need to get in on the fun too!
When it rains for days at a time and it seems like there is no end in sight. I try and remind myself that the sidewalks need a good wash and the plants need it and… awww hell, just stop already! I am beginning to want to curl up and hibernate.
I am in my happy place, I am in my happy place, I am in...
And then of course IT happens… You wake up and all you can hear are the buses, garbage trucks and sirens. The rain has stopped. The glorious sun is cresting over the buildings. In the morning light the city looks brand new and the possibilities of the day are endless. And just like that my heart bursts and I fall in love all over again.
The sun shining over the Romeo & Juliet statue in Central Park
It's Always An Adventure 