at the foot of the Andes

The rain reigns

I returned to Santiago yesterday evening after my two-day visit to Coquimbo, and found the capital completely soaked. Heavy rains had had no mercy during Monday, flooding streets and bloating rivers. Fortunately, since it was a national holiday traffic was not at it´s usual week-day levels.
Since Santiago normally doesn´t experience much downfall, it´s poorly prepared to draw off the water. Streets are quickly converted to streams and later to river beds.
As a pedestrian you´re especially vulnerable since not only do you have to skip and trot through the torrid currents, but traffic couldn´t care less if you get splashed! I´ve seen bus drivers bore unworriedly through vast pools, throwing man-high cascades on innocent by-standers... Where´s the humanity!?
My grandmother told me that in her younger days it used to never rain in the capital, that an umbrella could pass an entire year without unfolding.
Well, umbrella makers must be rejoicing!

Photo: El Mercurio