Looks like the monsoons have finally reached Delhi and we have some respite from this heat. Unfortunately though, monsoons seem to have become a double edged sword nowadays. Along with the rains and the cool breeze, come traffic jams, water logged roads, clogged drains, dengue and malaria.
It’s a pity though. We seem to have forgotten the enjoyment and romance of the rains. Sitting in our AC offices or cars, living in flats with only small balconies to substitute for a terrace or garden, we don’t remember how it was to feel the rain on our faces, the happiness in our being and the fragrance in our mind. Ooh I just love the sondhi mitti ki khushboo! (FACT ALERT: did you know by the way that the fragrance is caused by the bacteria residing under the soil)
As I idle with my cup of steaming chai with some hot pakori, my mind drifts to the days when rains were awaited with eagerness. I remember a particular day , a Sunday I think, when the family was similarly enjoying chai pakoda in our verandah, and the rains and breeze washed over us. I can still remember the coolness of the breeze, the slight chill from the damp clothes, and the warmth of the family sitting around. I think I had a cold so was not allowed to go dance in the rain and had to satisfy myself with dipping my feet a little in the running water!
Another Sunday, lovely weather after morning rains, an impromptu picnic is planned. Papa, mummy, Aditi and I. We pack some quick food in a basket, pick some sheets and off we go! After a pleasant lunch in some park, we gaze at the clean and recently washed sky, hoping for a rainbow to break out. It doesn’t. We come back home, get on the terrace and a beautiful rainbow stretched across the Aravalis smiles at us! And then we notice a lighter one, just behind it!
Yet another memory comes unannounced. I am four, maybe five, in Delhi and my cousin and I decide to race on the road, still wet after a sudden bout of rain. Perhaps we were impatient after being coddled inside home for long. We both run, I am trailing my cousin, and crash!, I fall. Crash again, and he falls as well!! Both of us return home, with scraped knees, a little limp and a smile on our faces. But I am jealous when I see his mother put some red paint on the bruised knee, while my mother proceeds to put some boring white antiseptic on me!
Paper boats! Oh how can one not think of them while talking about rains. I think it dredges a special kind of nostalgia in all of us. After all, Paper Boat, a big brand now, has developed their entire marketing strategy around the nostalgia of our childhood! Renu, a friend from school, beautifully describes those days as young, dreamy and naive. She fondly remembers racing boats with her brothers and imagining the adventures her boat would have once it disappeared down the manhole! Little did she know that manholes in Jaipur never reach the sea. 🙂
I am reminded of days when it rained during school hours. Getting wet, squelchy shoes and socks – both disgusting and exciting at the same time, sitting barefoot in class, examining swollen and wrinkled feet and fingers (still don’t what is so attractive about those), wet bag and hopefully dry books inside, my pink raincoat (not very effective in heavy rains) and red gumboots (I simply loved them!).
There is something about the cool breeze, the damp skin and young hearts, that makes monsoons the most romantic of seasons! I remember in the first year of our dating, Kapil and I were sitting on the porch of his college and it suddenly started to pour. Before I could react, he ran out in the rain like a little boy, feeling the rain on his face, getting drenched. I fell in love with him all over again. (Though in those days, anything could make me fall in love with him again and again!)
A more recent memory, perhaps when we were still innocent and carefree. They were Arnav’s first monsoons. The three of us spent a lazy day at Dilli Haat, which ended with a sudden shower. Totally unprepared we ran for cover, but by then Arnav was all wet. But that didn’t deter us from enjoying the day! (It is another matter that Arnav got his first high fever the next day!!).
But it’s been a while since I enjoyed the rains, really enjoyed them I mean. A cousin after reading my last blog told me to chill. And I think it is a good time to take her advice. Listing some of the fun things I could plan to do these monsoons. And so could you.
- get drenched, (like isn’t it the first obvious thing to do?) and dance (ahem, that I definitely can’t do – you can try if you want)
- play in the mud, make some mud pies and don’t forget to get dirty (hmm, I think I am going to like that…. need to find a park though!)
- don’t forget the boat! make lots of boats, decorate them, make some rafts out of ice cream sticks…
- go for a nature walk. bring out the gumboots (well I will have to buy some – the red ones won’t fit anymore) and go for a walk. bring back some earthworms and toads 😀
- And carry the camera (or the phone)! everything looks lovely after a rainshower and one might be rewarded by a beautiful rainbow!
- Jump in the puddles! you know I was such a goodie goodie – I have NEVER done that! Ya really. SO I must, I must, I must do this.
- Find a nice monument or a beach or some cafe and just sit… and talk…and listen to the rain
- Enjoy a wet kiss in the rain (mmmmm… sounds nice!!! DAMN, need to convince the stuffy husband for that)
- if not that, at least convince him for a walk hand in hand!! (Ya I know, I wrote a long blog about our romance – but you must realise it has been 13 years since we got married AND more importantly I have a boring husband!)
- end the day with some hot hot tea and piping hot pakoras!!
And when you think about chai pakora – think of getting this awesome tea set designed by Kapil (Sorry, I know I am shamelessly promoting him – but isn’t that what a good wife should do?)
Have a great monsoon and do tell me what you are planning to do!
Monsoon is to cherished but now a days it is converted into dry cloths get wet. And so many other tensions but after reading this even I want to keep that child awake
yes please!
Rain was one of the most anticipated things during my childhood but no more as I fear not reaching office on time. Wonder how the same thing changes priority in the same life time.
same here.. one doesn’t even realise when the change takes over!
You are so right about the new opportunity motherhood provides. You really do get a chance to relive some of your favorite memories and activities through your children’s eyes. It’s awesome!
Thanks!
It’s been raining where we live for over a week, with more rain to come. I need to get my kids out there to enjoy some of it like I used to do!
wow nice!! yes, do go out and get a good soak maybe!
Jelony | Blogging to help mums – It’s great that you can enjoy the rain and create such wonderful memories because of the rain. I enjoyed being indoors when it’s raining. The rain symbolises the washing away of stress and time for reflection and relaxation for me. I much prefer to be indoors to do these things.
Yes, as we grow up – the preference is to stay indoors – in our country there is so much traffic and mess that we shudder to go out!
I love reading your experiences as you are from a different country. But it seems despite our differences we are very much the same. I loved rain showers and mud puddles too growing up.
Thank you Mandy! The fun of jumping in the puddles will be the same regardless of age, country, class and gender I guess!! 🙂
I love this! I wish I could experience the rain in your country. Even though, here in the states rain for us means staying indoors and not going anywhere. The rain is messy, but lately my kids have fell in love with jumping in muddy puddles, thanks to Peppa Pig! 🙂 I think that your tips of getting drenched in the rain, making boats and taking photos in the rain will help us live a little more and enjoy life. Thanks for this great post!
Thanks Malisa! The rain experience in our country varies across the length and breadth – with some places getting non stop rains and others keep waiting for a little!!
What a great post for thinking of the past and childhood. Funny, when you talked of you and your cousin running right after the rains I thought what if they fell! Then you explained that you did. It amazes me how much I think like a mom now lol. This would be a great post to monetize with a book about paper origami or a tea set like in your photo.
Thanks so much for your comment Rose! Glad you liked it 🙂 I would like to understand more about your point on monetising though – will reach out separately 🙂
This post reminds me that it’s ok to dance in the rain
Thank you for sharing! I love when it rains!
I love being a mom and reliving my childhood through my son, he will keep me forever young.
memories take us back to time. some of this is like mine, like the paper boat.
here in Philippines it’s already reason I remember when I was child I love to dance in the rain 🙂 I love the treu colors of rainbow.
Water! I remember paper boat. O was king at that
It’s the simple pleasures that bring the fondest memories. Really enjoyable post – and I myself love a good chai!
Your memories of past rains are beautiful. One of my best rain related memories is taking a walk with my husband around our old neighborhood. The sky darkened so quickly we didn’t even notice until the rain started pouring. We were about half a mile from our apartment, so there was no use in running. Getting drenched was unavoidable.
I wanna join this rain party too. I’m so upset that when i see these, i remember my childhood back in home and now having all grown up and married and living in a cold country its only ice i get to enjoy 🙁
Beautiful post right here and wonderful photos too! You have just reminded me of my childhood, rain was like a blessing from the heavens.
O the rain and childhood…… It brings so much joy looking back….. Priceless memories…..
Sondhi mitti ki khushboo is what we love about monsoons in Delhi. Its like an announcement that rains have arrived! We are currently slow travelling in Himalayas and its been raining since last evening, non stop! Endless cups of chai.. what bliss 🙂
You’re very correct, our posh lifestyle and civilisation has made it’s a reason why we do not appreciate those things we used to before now. I love sitting under the train and feel the drops on my face as they go down my skin.
There are so many things here that brought back beautiful memories!
Your post brings back so many memories.
This is so nostalgic for me. I remember growing up in African and enjoying these beautiful experiences you shared. Now since I’ve been in London, I’ve not had the opportunity to feel the rain on my face and sadly, neither have my kids 😦
It has not been raining for weeks, I would happily get a good soak right now!
good luck!
Coming from a place where heavy rain isn’t common nor is it appreciated, I have always thought of monsoon as a negative experience, but I love how your article turned it into something positive & worth cherishing!
Thanks Meygan! Here too rains mean pain in towns and cities… but a lifegiver in the villages. 🙂
This makes me reminisce about my childhood, too! I used to run around in the rain with my friends and play with mud. (Then my mom would get mad because of the dirt) Hahaha!
h ha ya i can imagine – more work for her!
I tend to always run away from the rain because I hate getting drenched. But, I am glad that you have found ways to enjoy the wet weather! =D
The rain! This reminds me of my childhood. Even as an adult I still do some of these things. Like bathing/playing in the rain. Very fun memories.
I have ditto thoughts. What would be a childhood when puddles, paper boats and fun is missing…. I shared a similar post http://lifewithmypenguin.com/reasons-why-kids-should-jump-in-a-puddle/ a while ago.
You made me nostalgic buddy, yes times have changed, I too miss my childhood rains a lot.
It’s been raining here continuously in mumbai and after reading this post i feel like getting drenched in the rain! 😃
I absolutely enjoy being a mom and reliving my beautiful childhood memories with my daughter. Monsoons are my favorite, the first drizzle of rain just makes me happy. i love to get drenched in the rain.
What a great reminder of the times we all have spent in our childhood, how things change too, but nothing like jumping in puddles and dancing in the rain.. So blissful ☺️
I have so many memories attached with this rainy season…Loved your post …just awesome how we also used to plan such quick picnics
Loved the post, you bring me back in my childhood memories. Rainbow is the best part of the Rainy season.
I love rains and paperboats and mitti ki khusboo too.But with current sewage state its difficult really.Lovely post
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed rain even my father use to join us and used to drench in the rain and now my children love to enjoy raindrops and play in the puddles
Mumbai is having a fair share of rains and I’m enjoying doing most of the things in your list, alone and with my kids. Monsoons can be truly fun!
Again you struck the nostalgic chords and I was actually taken back to my childhood and the rainy days.. I used to have with my mom hot samosa and bhutta outside my school when she used to pick me up.
Rains and the enjoyment is unmatchable, though I would not like to take any camera with me when I go out in the rains. Loved the design of tea set.
Loved reading some of your rainy day memories.. you have expressed so beautifully.. full of emotions. Childhood memories are precious indeed!
Lovely post. It took me back in time when rains meant holidays and so much fun memories.
These rainy days memories made me revive my childhood memories while I played happily when it rained.
rains are my faves too. We recently got some rain boots only so that we can jump in the muddy puddles!!! Thanks Peppa Pig for that though!