Beautiful Storm

Last night I was feeling a bit nostalgic. Considering that this is my last week in Savannah until September (or maybe even longer than that… more details at a later date) I thought I’d go out and see the downtown area for the last time until then.

I headed out with a pint of ice cream to take in the late afternoon sights; walking down Montgomery from O-House, toward the river, and then passing through City Market. That was an interesting sight - people sitting on an open second-floor windowsill as others started their night out a bit early at bars and restaurants. Beggars, people boarding carriage tours, and lots of yuppies.

I turned on to Bay Street, crossed, and then walked down a steep flight of stairs to River Street. It looked the same as ever - more yuppies, panhandlers, the annoying trumpeter who likes to harass passersby with simple tunes that mock their appearance. It was all so routine, and all so Savannah. I found a spot away from the trumpeter where I could chat on the phone with my mom, and as I was talking with her the rain started to pour. It was hilarious to me, watching all of the tourists run like bugs who got disturbed by a light turning on. They hauled out of the open areas to take cover from the globs of rain, and I sat there telling mom how funny it was to see them caring so much about getting a bit wet. I hung up the phone and walked to an overhang to take cover for a second while finishing my ice cream. Yes, I ate the whole pint. Don’t judge.

After throwing the pint away I started walking back the way I came. River Street was a different place then - the stores and restaurants more crowded, the street itself deserted save some cars. I was listening to music as the clouds opened up and the lightning started. Giant flashes covered the sky, illuminating the entire riverfront for split seconds. It was something to stop and observe, and so I did. I stood there for a few minutes watching the power of nature. I felt immersed in it, and I was, considering how soaked I already had become.

By the time I was on Bay Street I was absolutely drenched, but for once I didn’t mind. I was content being soaked-through. My jeans and tee clung to my body like only wet clothes can, and it was perfectly acceptable. I was blasting my music, belting it out as loud as I could, feeling it course through my ears, my veins, and my head. The rain hit me, my voice hit the rain, and the whole thing seemed more spiritual than physical. I was truly happy, and smiled inexplicably the whole time.

I walked toward Ellis Square and noticed a waterfall in the alley to my left. I’m not kidding either - it was a literal waterfall shooting off the roof of a building, landing in the middle of the street. It probably got caused by all of the rain coming to the center of the roof and running off into a gutter with a disconnected pipe. The fall itself was at least thirty feet of steady, torrential water.

Why not stand under it?

I walked up to the back of it, stuck my hand in, and felt the cold rainwater pummeling down. I took a step forward, immersed my head, and then my whole body. It was incredible. Nothing else I’ve done in a long time felt so… freeing. I couldn’t help but laugh as I left the alley, impossibly waterlogged and happy as could be.

I kept meandering along, stopping in the center of Ellis Square to examine the awesome power of the sky as it lit up repeatedly with lightning and boomed with enormous thunder. I eventually made it back home, and realized that even if I wasn’t going to be in Savannah for the coming months, I could always remember that afternoon with fondness. I’ve never been more connected to the vibe of a city or place as I was yesterday, and I kind of like that. It was a beautiful storm.