The Rains are Coming!

It rained the other day, while I was driving. It hadn't rained for so long I literally forgot how to resolve the blurred windscreen. It took me a while to remember that's what wipers are for, and how to turn them on.

Not long ago I posted about the rather warm weather Palmas had been experiencing during it's "summer". Well, the rains are on their way and the temperatures will soon be dropping to the low 30s. 

Not even 11am on an average day. "Feels like 50 degrees".

On the good side, this means the following:

- the temperatures won't soar into the 40s as they have been for the last few months

- you can spend more than a minute outside without burning

- instead of dust everywhere, the city becomes green and lush again, making it a much more pleasant place to be in.
- no more forest fires in and around the city, no acrid stench and black bogeys

(No-one seems to be certain if the fires, which occur every year for several months, are caused on purpose for some greater agricultural good; by accidental dropping of a cigarette or an abandoned barbeque; or a product of nature due to the incredibly dry and hostile environment). 

Smoke from forest fires that covers the city

On the down side, it means:

- you can't spend more than a minute outside without getting soaked (our electric car key was destroyed once, and we had to drive around with the alarm blaring until we could get to a garage)

- you can't leave your windows open. Even when it's sunny you can't leave your flat without the possibility of two of each of the earth's animals seeking refuge in your living room

- it's pothole season - the streets become full of potholes, hidden by rainwater. Serious damage can be done to your car

- traffic is even more erratic and the roads are frequently flooded.

But on the whole, the lower temperatures make it worthwhile, so now I've found my wipers again, bring on the rains!