Raining

It's raining again. The drops started falling on my face as I was walking down Leonhardstrasse after helping Mirga carry her suitcase to where she's staying until Thursday, when we'll travel to Bologna together. On Merangasse, I almost instinctively turned to the left. The sun was beginning to set and Scandinavian Music Group's "Lopulta olemme kuitenkin yksin" was playing on my iPod. I am back in Graz.

I am now at home at Yvette's place and the rain is getting stronger by the minute. Right now, it has boiled to a raging downpour which sounds like it will crash through the glass roof of the balcony. I have agreed to meet a friend at Pastis which is only a few blocks away but if I leave now I'll arrive looking like my sponge does after I take a shower.

Which reminds me I just have to tell you about Yvette's shower! The handle has a crack in it, and as a result, the water shoots sideways instead of downwards. You should try cleaning yourself in such a shower some time, it's a blast. Just like being on candid camera! Right now, my Mexican friend is crawling over a huge poster of a satellite image of Graz. I picked it up today on Herrengasse, asked how much the poster cost and was offered one for free. was thrilled.

As I walk in this city's beautiful parks, browse the shops, meet friends with whom I share memories and make a beeline for the yoghurt department of Spar, I can't help thinking how lucky I am to have such a place where I feel so comfortable, such a home away from home where I know the people and the places and the way of life. One friend today told me that her best year in Austria has been the year when Thomas and I were exchange students in the Kunstuni because she used to go out much more. Nice words, which also made me miss Thomas a little bit.

The rain has stopped now, and I'm going for a drink in Pastis like I used to do.