I mentioned earlier about China and the spring rains. Shenzhen is as dry as a bone most of the year, if you discount the humidity that makes walking akin to swimming. Not so now.
The last week has seen sunny mornings: An hour or two of waking pleasantness. The skies then cloud up and big fat droplets fall as fast as the tears of a kindergartner with a skinned knee.
After my Saturday afternoon nap I headed to the coffee shop, intent on getting shots of scurrying, umbrella-bearing folk. I was not disappointed. When the rain stopped, I decided on a foray to a local electronics store. Unlike my area, it was raining in the nearby downtown area. Umbrella-less, I returned home very wet. A foreigner walking in the rain without an umbrella gets a lot of stares. At least it wasn’t cold.
I don’t mind getting wet. As a younger man I spent close to five hours lost in the Canadian woods during an autumn storm. After wading through beaver ponds, shivering (because someone thought they knew a shortcut), rain doesn’t bother you all that much. This drives Mrs. Stevo mad as her umbrella is ready at the first hint of precipitation.
The rains will end soon, I hope. Shenzhen is famous for cosmetic surgery. I’m considering asking a surgeon to upgrade my body to include gills.
Biking while holding an umbrella and, No Helmet, reminds me of my youth, minus the umbrella…
Aren’t you due for a self-portrait Stevo?
R(etc… )
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It totally perplexes my friends when I tell them I don’t own an umbrella. When pressed on the matter, I simply reply with “it’s against my religion.” That usually shuts ’em up. After spending four winters in Buffalo, New York the cold doesn’t bother me that much and a bit of rain certainly doesn’t scare me. Also, rain on a warm day is one of my favorite types of days.
Graham: Four years in Buffalo? You have my respect, sir. I did just buy three umbrellas. Unfortunately, I don’t think they would do much in the rain as they are for photographic lighting.
I own two umbrellas. One has never been out of it case, and the other lives in the back of my car, under the spare tire cover. It hasn’t moved in two years. A hair tie to tame the frizzies is easier to carry.
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Shawn: Practical.
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Great shots! I never travelled with an umbrella until I was given one by a JR employee in Japan as reparations for stuffing up the creation of my Japan Rail Pass. It had a little Suica penguin on it, which isn’t really the look a 6’3″ bearded chap wants, but it changed my opinion and now there’s always a tiny travel umbrella in my pack.
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Steve: Hello, nice to meet ya. The bulk to the Chinese umbrella market is aimed women wanting protection from the sun. I’ve seen men carrying some interesting umbrellas. It takes a brave man to carry the pink, lacy umbrella covered in silver hearts. I checked out your site and subscribed.
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It’s great getting back to these posts as well, Stevo. I’ve got to add you to my Google Reader. I’m looking forward to more of your Asian Ramblings.
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I wonder if the lady riding the bike realized that her butt wasn’t covered?
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Corina: She would after she sat down. hehe.
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I’m with Graham on this one. I did finally buy an umbrella… for the camera.
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