The umbrella rested lazily against the porch, my sidewalk dry, air still... no signs of the havoc of last night's storm.

The sky opened up, the rain poured out. Sheets of water flowed down the street toward the river. I was leaning my head against Anik's back, as she wobbled her way on the scooter towards my bungalow. The top half of me was dry under the dripping poncho, while my feet and legs met the splashing water of the rode.

Anik dropped me off in front of a cafe across the road from where I was staying. The rain was flooding out of the sky. The street was like a wide stream, it buckled and curled over the uneven pavement. Little boats of gratitude- woven offerings with orange and pink flowers, floated past , along with plastic bottles, plastic bags, cans, bottles, cigarette butts, and newspapers. The water rose quickly above the sidewalk, capturing the trees caught in the swiftly moving mass.

I ordered a wonderful orange lentil soup and avocado salad. I ate, and I waited. The lightening flashed and the street was a silverish blue ocean for me to try to cross. I opened my umbrella while the cafe staff watched. I rolled up my pant legs and waded onto the sidewalk, the rushing water still shallow, just covering my ankles. The rain continued to plop hard and heavy on the umbrella and water fell off it in sheets, making a curtain around me.

I stepped off the curb into the current. Almost immediately my rubber sandal was swept down stream. As lightening flashed, I saw the blue shoe in silver blue water swirl once and disappear over a ledge down to the river below. I half laughed, half screamed as the thunder roared over head and the rain pounded... A plastic bag wrapped itself around my ankle, and as I stood balanced on my one sandaled foot, my umbrella waving overhead, I tried to shake the bag free... Like a soaking wet tight rope walker, I limped and slid across the flooded street, and up the hill where my dry bungalow awaited me.