You are currently browsing the daily archive for October 19th, 2007.
Coming from the Burgh, rain, just like the Steelers, is a way of life. The weathermen always simply add a 30% chance of rain to the forecast in order to keep their jobs. Then, living in DC for two years, it rarely rained, but when it did, it was always relaxing and welcomed. Watching thunderstorms with the O-Staff from the Letts Sky Lounge or the Beach were great bonding experiences. But, now living in the desert in probably the most polluted city on the planet, rain brings about a different feeling: fear.
Glancing at a weather forecast for Cairo, Sunny & 87-90 degrees is the norm here, even for the end of October. Two months in, we had maybe three or four cloudy days, and no rain whatsoever. I didn’t mind too much, although a long weekend of chilly temperatures (read: 60’s & 70’s) in Istanbul & Athens, really made me desire a cooling off period and I clearly desired rain, as well. My reaction to rain in Istanbul was slightly along the lines of finding an oasis full of chocolate, Dr. Pepper, and J. Crew clothiers, so upon my return to Cairo Tuesday, I learned of an impending rainstorm looming around the Nile river valley, which got me extremely excited. At dinner we heard thunder and a rather loud thunderstorm rolled through Cairo during the night, and in the morning, much to my satisfaction, it was raining out!
But I was only excited for a good thirty seconds.
Because in Cairo, when it rains, it rains polluted water.
Not polluted as in stinky or smelly raindrops (they sure are), but polluted as in yellow raindrops. You can’t see it until you get out of the rain and realize that white polo shirt you are wearing to fit in at AUC, is speckled with yellow dots of varying sizes. It also leaves dirty marks on the jeans you just washed upon return from holiday. What a great welcome back to Cairo, right?
I constantly to have to remind myself that this is the Third World and that being in the most polluted city in the world, things will be a little different. But honestly, how much can rain showers differ?? I was told by a friend here that Cairo Rain is quite scary. It pours and pours and pours and all of the great dirt, trash, and just gross things that make Cairo disgusting to begin with on a hot and humid day, are now thrown all together in one wet mess, which makes me glad I have my vaccinations.
