When it rains, it pours

Now that fall is upon us, the rain is falling as well.  And in Greece, the thunderstorms are no joke.  They come about suddenly but last for hours.  It rains harder than the most intense summer storms back home. The lightning is frequent and lights up the entire street. But what really stands out is the thunder. Rolling thunder, lasting long seconds makes one feel as if the city is falling.  The thunder is louder than any I have ever heard- by a factor of three.

More often than not, the storms come in the middle of the night. The usual street sounds are suddenly overwhelmed by the crash of thunder and the splattering raindrops. And let me say, it is no easy feat to drown out the street noises.

Sidebar: Athens is LOUD at night. Dogs barking and fighting, motorbikes speeding through the street no matter the hour, Greeks screaming at one another, and construction. Beginning at 4 am, workers pound away at the church that I live next to. Jackhammers set the dogs barking again and threaten to shatter my eardrums.  To top it off, Roma (gypsies) drive through the street with a megaphone, broadcasting their willingness to take people's trash. I do not know how, but I have grown accustomed to the noise.  Now, when I go on vacation to a serene, quiet site, I find it difficult to sleep. Who would have thought?

Aaaanyway. These past few weeks, I have found jolted awake to the wind and rain slamming my balcony door. Instead of closing the door and going back to sleep, I slip out onto the balcony and watch the storm. Though the rain comes down steadily, I stay dry. I watch late-night stragglers run for the safety of awnings and the silhouettes of buildings come in and out of view. The sounds and sites of a giant Athens thunderstorm are cleansing and surprisingly comforting. Happy Fall!