Globetrotters Monthly Challenge/Gratitude/Travel Writing

When The Weather Is Not Fine

It doesn’t take much to say a little prayer in times of bad weather

I promised myself to travel after six months. If not possible, after a year will do.

The month of May was the 6th month. Japan is possible. I settled for Fukuoka. A dear friend and her mother scheduled their trip to Manila. Oh, dear me, of all months, it’s in May.

June was the next best thing.

But the notorious rainy season of Manila starts every June. July? August? But the notorious summer of Japan is in July and August. September? That is so far away.

I just crossed my fingers and took a chance with June.

Then, came June. Every day I checked the weather. As if I can change it the way I wanted it to be. For every day the chance of rain was high.

The heartbreaking news – severe tropical storm Maliksi was at its peak intensity on June 10, a week before my departure. Days later, as the storm was moving away from Manila it was going near Japan. Ugh!

Three days before my departure, Maliksi battered Taiwan and Okinawa.

Oh heavens! If faith can move mountains, why not a tropical storm?

I did my time and tested rituals, a Catholic ritual. It is a belief that if you want a good weather, a no-rain weather, eggs should be offered to St. Claire. So I placed a few pieces of eggs on our altar and prayed for the best.

To be sure, I searched Mr. Google for reinforcement. In Ireland, it is a tradition to put the statue of the child Jesus in the window of the house facing out to ensure good weather for a bride’s big day. So, I did it. It’s a big day for me anyway. Just the same.

And D-day came. I departed Manila and arrived in Fukuoka with no rain.

And then, I received an e-mail from the company of Chiharu-san, the tour guide of the walking tour for my second day. Bring an umbrella – it’s going to be a wet day.

I joined her tour because I didn’t trust my sense of direction in navigating the huge Maizuru and Odori Park. So grateful that I did, the two of us were the only ones in the park. If I went there alone, I had the park all to myself.

My second day came. The farthest the wet day had been were drizzles for a few minutes. No more, no less.

Chiharu-san said…” I wonder why it didn’t rain, the weather forecast is always accurate”.

I told her all my rituals.

She couldn’t believe it.

But I always believed.

And I am very grateful for the divine intervention.

Never failed.

I guess, a globetrotter too, who sympathized with a globetrotter.

A little faith and a little prayer will go a long, long way .