It’s been a surprisingly rainy August this year. This has me a little conflicted, to tell the truth. As a Seattleite, rain is familiar, comfortable, and well liked, at least for me. However, a typical rainy day in Seattle is quite different from a typical rainy day in Ogaki. For starters, while it can be a little humid (or “muggy” as we usually say), even the highest humidity doesn’t compare to the weight of the moisture suffusing the air on a good day in Ogaki. Additionally, it doesn’t really rain very hard in Seattle most of the time. On the rare occasion that it does pour, it’s the subject of much hullabaloo and conversations about the weather, a Northwest staple. In comparison, most rain in Ogaki, especially in the summer, is heavy rain. I’ve seen rainstorms this August that make “raining cats and dogs” an understatement.

As I said, I’m conflicted about this weather, not condemning. From the safety of the indoors, it’s quite exhilarating to watch a torrential rainstorm. Furthermore, I find the sound of the rain is music to my ears, and it’s never more audible than during a torrent. Additionally, while the rain can be accompanied by very high humidity, it generally still lowers the temperatures to a low enough level that the humidity is at least bearable, if not pleasant. I recognize this for the luxury that it is in Ogaki in summer, and I appreciate it. Plus, while thunderstorms are rather rare in Seattle, they’re quite prolific here in Ogaki, and I do love a good light show.

I’m a Northwesterner. I like to talk about the weather. It’s our regional pastime. Rain is familiar and comfortable, both as an experience and a subject of discussion. Even a brief rainstorm in Seattle is a source of much discussion between all people, strangers and friends alike. Such heavy rain is a much more frequent experience here in Ogaki, which gives me lots of conversation fodder when I talk to my family in Seattle.

Stay dry, everybody. But don’t forget to appreciate the rain.