Life In Lagos #4: Rainy Day Adventures
In Lagos; when it rains it pours!
Every year, the rainy season comes and turns Lagos’ streets into rivers.
When it rains here, there are usually two kinds of weather patterns: one where it rains consistently for a few hours, then stops abruptly; or another where it rains lightly all day long with no breaks at all. The second kind is the absolute worst because, with the first, you can plan your day when the rain stops, but the other one can be annoying and ultimately ruin your day.
Two major things are bound to happen whenever it rains:
First, there’s the flooding. The streets become rivers, and no matter how many times you’ve driven along a certain route, you have no idea what lies ahead. You have to be careful because if you hit even a small puddle, your car will likely get stuck (and then it’ll cost you a lot more than expected to tow it out).
Then there’s the traffic. The roads are so crowded that even if you’re driving at a snail’s pace, you still won’t be able to move for hours. And when the rain stops? You’ll find yourself stuck in gridlock for even longer as everyone tries to get out of town at once.
Fortunately for me, like every other thing, I have found ways around navigating rainy days in Lagos. Here are my top five:
Always check the weather.
One thing you must do during the rainy season is to always check the weather before heading out! I cannot stress this enough, I check the weather forecast every night to prepare my mind for the next day. This is the most important step you can take to avoid getting caught off guard by a sudden downpour. If there’s going to be rain, then you should know about it ahead of time so that there aren’t any surprises when you head out into the street.
Bring an umbrella.
The next thing you need is an umbrella, but not just any umbrella will do. A good quality one with a sturdy handle is important because you don’t want it falling apart as soon as the skies open up.
Wear comfortable shoes.
You also need waterproof shoes that are comfortable enough for walking long distances (sometimes it can take hours!). My personal favourite is a good pair of Crocs. It is super comfortable and all you need is a dry cloth or even tissue to clean it when it gets wet. Oh, did I mention that they are stylish too? If you don’t have a pair of Crocs right now then you should get one now! They’ll keep your feet dry while keeping your style intact!
Dress for the weather.
When it comes to dressing for a rainy day, comfort is key — especially when navigating flooded streets! You don’t want anything restricting your movement or making your day miserable when all you want is a good time out with friends or family members or simply getting to the office.
Pack extra clothes.
Finally, do yourself a favour and always have a hoodie or an extra pair of jeans (or maybe both) in your bag or your car. Sometimes Mother Nature can decide to be funny and there might be an unexpected downpour on your way home from work or school, also remember that not every driver in Lagos is sane, they can decide to audition for a role in Fast and Furious when it’s raining, so plan ahead with this essential piece of clothing!
Hopefully, my tips above will help you to avoid a disaster, or at least cope with it in an easier fashion.
Yours in this adulthood struggle, That Ordinary Girl. ✌
