fresh perspective

Downpour. Lots and lots of rain.

I was about to venture home in said downpour.

It presented itself as a mission impossible, or at least the last thing I wanted to do. Nevertheless, the show must go on, I told myself, or…… I would be spending the night at work. Lame.

I put my earbuds in and chose an exciting playlist for the journey home.

I made a pathetic start and almost crashed my bike. The catch was that I was riding through newly formed rivers. My left hand clutched my umbrella, while my right was in charge of steering. Balance wasn’t anything I was naturally blessed with, so the slippery tires, heavy winds, and dark back streets I had to drive along only added to the challenge.

Within seconds I was completely drenched. I pulled the umbrella away, curious if it was actually helping at all. Yep. Couldn’t see a thing.

After making it ten feet, I had to wait at a red light. No joke - two large semi trucks passed by and splashed me, making sure I didn’t have any dry spots left. I half laughed, half yelled while careening across the intersection, almost running into the incoming traffic.

The majority of the city stayed in for the night, a smart move on their part. It was helpful in avoiding a probable accident, since I was sure to hit any car who intended on driving down any of the skinny side streets coming my way. Thankfully, I drove past unharmed, giggling all the way. I was shocked I hadn’t fallen yet.

I remembered how Aya, the school secretary, had warned that the rainy season was beginning. At the time I had deemed her passing comment as inconsequential. I now knew better. Rainy season meant more than a few measly drops here and there. It was a monsoon.

My umbrella got harder and harder to hold on to. My hand grasped the slippery handle for dear life as the wind picked up speed, intending to pick me up in the air like some kind of Mary Poppins. I stopped abruptly at one point and stared – did I just see a fellow foreigner? An allusive gaijin, stuck in the rain not unlike myself? Frankly, the darkness and torrential rain did a good job of masking her identity. I pedaled along, disappointed that I had been evaded again. Apparently, there were six other foreigners in my small Japanese city. I had not yet met any of those sly folks.

The city lights vying for attention found their reflections in standing water. I splashed through, riding in pure adventure and the freedom of the night.