Temporary Nomad

Water

This week we had rain. The same type of rain that we were used to in Europe – day after day of grey drizzle, interspersed with heavy, tempestuous downpours. In many places, some of the heaviest April rains in fifty years. But here it wasn’t like it was in Europe. Not just because after a few days the rain actually did finish, but also because it didn’t make people sit around glumly. Australia has also been having some of the worst droughts in fifty years, and everyone was cheered to have their gardens watered, and finally to have some relief from the drought. Most cities have been on major water restrictions – where you can only water your garden once a week (Sunday night), and do nothing as wasteful as washing your car! (Ok, ok, so not washing my car wouldn’t change my lifestyle that drastically…)

We were at the Adelaide Fringe festival a few months ago. The crowds were sitting around in the warm evening air, drinking and chatting merrily. Before long, dark clouds rolled in, and the heavens thundered as though they were finally going to open up and drench everyone. The first heavy raindrops started to fall, and instead of everyone making a dash for cover like you have to in Europe, a loud cheer went up from the crowd! Everyone was thrilled! Finally – rain. I was stunned.

Well, those few drops were about all that fell that night. It wasn’t yet time for the drought to break. But it sure felt like I was in a different country. A strange country. Australia.