If they start running, do it too!

Alex told me this pretty early on and I soon found out why.

The weather here is actually quite nice. It's always about 30 degrees, mostly sunny. However, the circulation system has a bit of a struggle at first because not only are the temperatures high, but also the humidity. It feels like being in a greenhouse and you already long for a shower when you step outside. It's best to have a small towel with you because you really start sweating.

Unfortunately, we're also in the rainiest time in Singapore. But that doesn't spoil our day. You just have to be flexible.

I had to figure out how the weather works here. Gray clouds don't mean anything and no one is stopped by them. However, if you really have something important to do, you should do it while it's still dry. Because there's no drizzle here and if there is, it's nice and warm and quite pleasant. Rain here really means rain. And not like in the Caribbean, a heavy shower for 5 minutes and then it's over. It can sometimes last for hours.

And then there's the rain wall. I've already experienced quite a few of them. Mostly accompanied by heavy thunderstorms, where you'd rather hide in bed where nothing can touch you. Especially when it thunders, you often can't see the next houses anymore because everything turns black. You can feel the thunder at your feet and the lightning is gigantic.

When Jakob and I wanted to go to the playground the other day, I saw the gray clouds, but as I said, they don't mean anything here. I could also feel the light wind, which I always felt before every rain wall. That made me a little uneasy... When I saw the first Singaporean running, it was almost too late for us. I quickly saved us under a tree and hoped that we would stay somewhat dry. Of course, I didn't have an umbrella with me (and a rain cape?... no... you suffocate underneath it here...).

We didn't stay dry. I was actually quite wet, as if I had showered in clothes. Luckily, Jakob was protected by the roof of his stroller, so he stayed dry except for his legs.

But the Singaporeans are really nice. A man offered us his umbrella. But when I looked down at myself, it was clear to both of us that it wouldn't make sense anymore. So we walked home in the rain, because we couldn't get any wetter. Fortunately, the way home was really short.

But from now on I know: Run when they run! Or at least find shelter. And don't ignore the combination of 'gray clouds + wind'...