Gotta do laundry and hang it out to dry.
Gotta walk to the market before the water is pouring down the middle of the streets.
Gotta just get out and feel the sun on your skin.
Later in the day when it's pouring rain, wifi can get spotty. Sometimes the electricity goes off altogether.If it gets cold and dreary, I've got a supply of wood ready for the fireplace.
It's nearly impossible to go all through the rainy season without getting caught in a downpour without an umbrella. When that happens, people stand inside stores or under shelter, watching for a tuk tuk, or just waiting for it to lessen a bit.
One of the best rains happened last year when we were at the hotel. It was evening, the electricity went out, it was dark. We stood on the balcony and watched the rain filling up the street as the parking lot across the way turned into a flood.
The main street of Panajachel during a light rain:
Sounds like SE Texas. We're semitropical there. When it rains, it RAINS.
ReplyDeleteThe only inconvenience was the mosquitoes it brought afterward. My job then and even now in north Texas is to make sure there is no standing water to keep the mosquitoes from laying eggs.
Maria, Ah yes, the mosquitoes! I see so many birds everywhere and am glad for their huge mosquito-eating appetites. The other day I saw a small bird swoop down and gobble up a big spider!
DeleteWhat's rain? That's what we in Southern California are wondering. I'll be getting some rain as I start my trek back east for a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteRain is nice, but I don't like it when the electricity goes off.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Road trippin' with A to Z
Tossing It Out
Lee, I look forward to hearing about your trip! It sounds like a fun adventure.
DeleteThat's wild it cools it off a bit. We're getting the summer evening thunderstorms here, but it rarely cools the air much.
ReplyDeleteAlex, The Panajachel temperature is absolutely delightful, regardless of what season it is.
DeleteWe've had rain every day for at least a week and we expect another couple of inches over the next two days as tropical storm, Bill, moves in. I guess rainy season is your winter.
ReplyDeleteSusan, Yes, although we are getting a small respite from it now, and apparently this is called "summer." Kids are off school for a week, it's fairly sunny and so they call it "summer vacation," kind of like spring break in the US.
DeleteI'm painting outdoors so weather has become very important to me. Sometimes I make plans too, to rush outside early and beat the rain but inevitably I get caught up in it with all my art supplies. I love your picture of Panajachel. Thanks for the early morning armchair travel.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, That must take real planning and discipline. And no fun to have rain pelting against your newly painted canvas. Wishing you some lovely dry mornings for your art!
DeleteListen to the falling rain... I can hear Jose Feliciano's rendition in my mind. Wish you could send some our way.
ReplyDeleteMirka, And now I can hear it too, love that song!
DeleteThere is nothing like the sound of rain on a tin roof, the smell of rain on the garden...I miss rain.
ReplyDeleteSusan, Rain is such a refreshing gift, you are so right.
DeleteThere's 'real rain' in the tropics - we think we get wet here in England, but it's nothing like the daily deluges you get (and I've seen on my wanderings.)
ReplyDeleteJo, I imagine you've gotten caught out in quite a few of them! I downloaded one of your books, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
DeleteSome have too much, other's too little. It has been a somewhat dry spring here, but summertime is bringing Bill. I hope he has run out of some of his steam and won't flood our streets.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! No flooding of streets and homes would be nice.
DeleteSo interesting that the rain comes at a specific time of day. Also, it's pretty convenient. In the winter here, rain can come from nowhere after five minutes.
ReplyDeleteMisha, It is convenient! And I'll remember this in a few months when I'm so tired of it and be grateful for the sunny mornings.
Deletei can't imagine living abroad - with completely different climate, culture, and ways of daily life - and it sounds like taking a step backward in time a few years at least, but i bet it's refreshing to slow down sometimes. takes getting used to!
ReplyDeleteTara, It is very much like going back in time. My husband grew up in northern California in the 1950s and he says it reminds him of that era. Maybe why he feels so at home here!
DeleteYikes. It rains a lot here, but I can't imagine the Wi-Fi and/or electricity going off every time it rains!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, fortunately it isn't every time or I'd really be in trouble. I can barely function without WiFi.
DeleteHow nice it would be to have a rainy season on could rely on here in drought-stricken California.
ReplyDeleteInger, I seem to remember "winter" used to be the rainy season in California, and the brown hills would turn green. It's very sad that the drought has gone on for so long.
DeleteHi Karen - rain can be cold too ... we're having lots of wind at the moment - and it' has been raining .. but it's the tennis and cricket season - what on earth do we expect! Keep dry but enjoy that lushness that abounds in Guatemala .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, Sometimes it can be an annoyance, like when outdoor events are scheduled as you mention, but then people visit England to enjoy the beautiful greenery and gardens and it takes rain and a damp climate to create them.
DeleteBeautiful picture. I love the smell and feel of rain, especially when it's been a hot, sunny day.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I do too ! At first there's the smell of collected dirt and grease coming up from the streets, and then it's all washed away.
DeleteSame here in Florida. I have to get errands done early or I'll get caught in a downpour! Your photos are lovely!!
ReplyDeleteTerri, The rain picture was taken by my daughter when she came to visit. I think she really captured the essence of a peaceful rain.
DeleteI agree with Terri. Your photos, Karen, are lovely and peaceful. Jersey just had tornadoes touch down. Thousands of us are without power or even cell phone service. I'm one of the many. So my hiding in the library is twofold today--time to write and have service. Luckily the tornadoes left my street pretty much intact. However, other neighbors have huge oaks crashed into their homes; cars smashed under other trees; roadways and sidewalks pulled up, and of course, no one has power. Thanks for this calming look at rain, Karen.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, Oh so sorry about the tornadoes in your part of the country. They can be frightening and devastating. I grew up in central Illinois and tornadoes this time of year were a way of life, and to me a lot more frightening than earthquakes for some reason. I'm glad you are safe.
DeleteGreat picture there at the end. It's cold here, though last night it was super chilly, and the day was super sunny. Then a big storm before that. But today, no air one, long sleeves and just a really really nice day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo! It's been cool and rainy here. We've only had a few days that have felt like summer.
ReplyDeleteJulie
We are officially in our winter and its cool here, though no rain and soon we would be in drought season, having to save water. Interesting how different everywhere is. Love the pics.
ReplyDelete