When one is born and raised in the UK, rain is considered at the least away of life, an irritation an inconvenience. Having lived in Manchester where they average 140 days of rain a year one learnt to adapt to the wet weather.
The rain coat, and umbrella and sensible waterproof shoes are staple fashion accessories that no conventional British wardrobe would be complete without. Galoshes, wellington boots, and rain hats were very much the order of the day when I was a child; additionally most homes had umbrella stands in their halls. Winter coats had hoods, Spring &Autumn Jackets were shower proof, while in the Summer there was the “pac- a-mac” or kagoule ( foldable lightweight plastic rain coats that fitted in ones handbag to protect you from the holiday rain. )
The Mackintosh invented by Charles Mackintosh in Glasgow was a form of waterproof raincoat, first sold in 1824, made out of rubberized fabric, since then different forms of rain protection adorned the well dressed British wardrobe.
Harold Wilson, twice prime minister favored the Gannex raincoat, whilst the Royal family have habitually sported a Barbour ,while the familiar tartan lining of a Burberry which also holds a royal warrant ,has become the uniform of the have’s and the wannabe’s.
Rain is not generally welcomed by the inhabitants of the UK with open arms, summer fetes take out insurance against it, Golfers dislike it, holiday makers try and avoid it, children loath the way it interrupts outside games.
Over the years of living in the UK I never heard people sound happy about rain, it was the norm to get on with life ,while grumbling about the inclement weather , along with the rheumatic aches and pains hindrances it caused .
Israel is in a desert, this year has been the driest November in 60 years, Israel has just suffered a massive forest fire where 43 people lost their lives, 9,900 acre of forest were destroyed moreover in excess of 17,000 people were evacuated from their homes. The spread of the fire was exasperated by the dryness of the forest and surrounding areas, it is estimated it will take more than 12 years to restore the damage caused by the fire.
In Israel we fervently pray for rain , impending rain is discussed with glee, every Israeli man woman and child knows the importance of rain, Therefore when it arrives it is greeted with open arms ,like a long lost relative or friend.
On busses you will hear “Geshem a Bracha “ “Rain a blessing,” children will run outside dancing and chanting “rain rain rain!” Even the most fastidious of housewives will not worry that her line of washing is getting soaked in a downpour.
Today it rained, I listened to the sound of the rainfall on my tin roof, more magical than “Handles water music” more captivating than Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells “ the heavenly sound of rain falling to quench the thirsty earth of the Judean Hills.
Alas it rained too little, but it rained and that’s a start; so now like any true dweller of this land I will check the internet, look at the news also listen to the radio so I can be ready to greet my long-awaited guest with open arms, and like the local children emulate Gene Kelly.
Maybe if you look carefully you will find me singing & dancing in the rain!
