If I could describe it, it’s like Halloween and New Year’s all at once, but of course, so much more. People prepare costumes and/or parade floats for months and even up to a whole year prior for this special event. A truly remarkable experience! But before I get side-tracked….
My sister and I went to the lake the day after I arrived. It was a lovely day, but by the time we got our stuff together for baby (my adorable 6 month old niece at the time), we didn’t end up going until about 4pm. (PS I have a new appreciation for mothers going places with their infants/kids). We laid down a mat, and were ready to enjoy some sun and relax. About 10 minutes later, my sister commented on the flashing light across the lake. She said that it was to warn people that the winds were high, and to bring in their boats – a typical sign when there’s a storm coming but she’s seen it before and it didn’t amount to much activity.
Well, today was a different day…. I felt a rain drop, and then about 10 minutes later, it started to rain. So, we, along with everyone else on the lake, packed up and headed for home. We crossed the bridge, and passed through a walkway sheltered by trees, but when we got to the end, it was raining harder. We found a dry spot and thought we’d wait for it to pass, but then the rain got harder and harder… so we decided to make a run for it. After all, it was just a 10-15 minute walk back to the apartment, along a path that went uphill, then downhill, past the Richard Wagner Museum, and around a bend until we would reach the Schönbul shopping centre. From there it was a quick hop across the street and then we would be home.
Here’s the thing though… it is now HAILING! In August! What in the hey?! I’ve never ran so hard but so careful in my life hahaha… Luckily, we had a towel that we draped over the stroller to protect baby. We were completely drenched when we got home! (Don’t worry, baby was dry, safe and sound.) Hail on the ground. It was madness. Oh so fun though – jumping through puddles and getting soaked running in the rain hahaha; that always makes me feel like a kid, which is why I love it so much.
So much more to tell, but will leave it for another time.
Lessons Learned:
- Always bring rain gear, because you just never know
- Always pay attention to the warning signs
- Never trust the weather (you know what I mean!)
