March 9th, 2016 by Rachel | Tags: Peace Corps | No Comments »
I was so happy to say goodbye to dust season last week, March 1st, when the rain finally poured for the first time since November. This was probably the happiest time I have ever been about seeing rain!
Bamenda during dust season.
First day of rain of 2016!
Rain came down really hard on the first day of rainy season.
For a few weeks prior to the first day of rain of the rainy season, I have been really longing and waiting for rain. There were too many moments to count where I said to various people, “I WANT rain to come now!” My hair was becoming dirtier than ever just from the dust in the air. The minute I go outside right after washing my hair, my hair would go from feeling very smooth to very coarse. My clothes turned brown very quickly during the day. There were moments when I questioned if the brown coloring on my feet were dust or tan.
While Bamenda has been cool for the most of dry season, in the past couple weeks, it was becoming hotter to the point that I was sweating in middle of the day. Dust was also making the view of Bamenda less beautiful. Mountains in the backdrop disappeared because the sky contained such a thick layer of dust.
Right after the rain came, the air instantly felt cooler and fresher. The smell of the air became remarkably different. It smelled noticeably fresher.
Since then, rain has been coming almost everyday, pouring down so hard to the point that my apartment was flooded one day. Not to worry, my apartment has since been cleaned up. In spite of the catastrophe, I would still choose rainy season over dry season in any day. My hair and clothes are cleaner. The air is much fresher. The weather is much cooler. When there is sun, I can see the beautiful mountains in the backdrop.
Goodbye dust season! I will not miss you!
