Rain

I just stood barefoot on my balcony for 10 minutes or so, listening to a hard rain hit the roof above me. It felt like being behind a waterfall. Breathing in the sticky humid night air, it was almost like being in a steam room. I could feel the tiles still warm from the heat of the afternoon underneath my feet, and it felt like all of the grime of the city was being washed away. What a way to start the week fresh.

I'm in Manila for most of this week, catching up on the work that we've done so far and making plans for the final month here. Then it's off to Boracay's famous white sand beach and party town atmosphere for the Holy Week (Easter) holiday, before starting one last stint of field work in the Visayas. It's been lovely to catch my breath after 4+ weeks of constant travel and exhausting field work. I've been relaxing with long swims in the hotel pool, lots of good sleep, and enjoying the variety of international cuisine in Manila. It's also been great to catch up with a UW friend who is here working with the WHO Regional Office.

Short post tonight. I think I might drag a chair onto the balcony and just listen to the rain for a while longer.