It rains in patches
Mid-afternoon street in Saigon August comes as prickly as it could, in the form of torrential pre-typhoon downpours. As a relief from the dog days in July, the first hints of monsoon season have already lingered around Saigon. Many the afternoons lately, I have been turning on the lights above my desk to better see the words amid the darkening clouds outside and the naughty mosquitoes lingering near the bookshelf, while the strong breezes dangle the fragile petunias baskets on the balcony. Saigon downpours are noted for their spontaneity: one second, you are perspiring profusely under the blinding sun and the other second, your ears are filled in the rumbles of thunder beyond the resin trees. If you happen to ride on a moped, then be prepared to find an eave as a shelter to put on your poncho along with many other riders huddling close by. The sight of colorful ponchos flapping by the sidewalk always reminds me of an aquatic carnival, where processions of motorcycles, trucks, and ricks...
