The first rains of May

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain province -- I love the first rains of this rustic town. Ugly brackish waters and dirt of all sorts accumulated for the past many months flowed down the streets and disappeared down the drain.

Such relief to see accumulated dirt, smear and dust swept off , in this tourist town which gets its peak tourist arrivals in December and April and regular arrivals of local tourists every Saturdays and Sundays. With the expansion of the population and visitors coming and going, expect also dirt accumulating equally commanding cleanliness and waste management.

Nature takes control in what humans fail to do or wait for nature’s intervention . And so the rains came and did their part. I am thankful. With human intervention, waste management is being articulated by the local government unit including the reactivation of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) project with the involvement of the Sagada Solid Waste Association Inc (SSWAI). I look forward to this.

I cleaned the dirt in the front and backyards of the house and washed some clothes over the weekend. With water getting scarce especially in the summer months, rain water is a relief and a joy to feel getting under the pouring rain.

Ice pellets came fast and cold, dropping down in staccato movements. A sight to behold. It never rained ice pellets in Sagada for quite some time. The last time was when I was younger some years ago. Or it must have rained ice at the time I was not in Sagada for quite some time.

I am beginning to love staying here again. The occasional rains, the regulated sun, the nostalgic streets, and a people who laugh loud to add to some domestic responsibilities at hand, it’s a joy to be home. The air smells good the morning after. Sunshine warmed the cool morning air. It’s gonna be a cool sunny day. And so it is.

First rains talk of planting beans and corn. In the previous years, planting legumes and corn usually happen in the months of March and April when the first rains come for the year. This year, it must be climate change with the rains pouring down on May.Tomorrow, am going to plant corn and beans.