It is a sunny day

It is a sunny day outside. Everything is drenched in the golden sunshine. The autumn colors are bright. The sky is blue. The snowcapped mountains are visible at the distance. Everything is so fresh and clear. It looks bright. It feels cheerful. It is sunny. And it is sunny after a long time.

I had never realized how special sunny days are before coming to Slovenia. Initially I would be amazed by people talking about and waiting for the summer and the sun.

Growing up in India, I had experienced the glaring sun and scorching heat for most of the year. The winter sun was pleasant; the autumn and spring sun was cheerful. But those were only for a shorter period of time. Mostly it was the sizzling sun. Therefore, in those dark cloudy days of monsoon, I rarely missed the sun. Even though I always find cloudy days gloomy and melancholic; there used to be a strange beauty in that melancholy. The poetic rhythm of rain, the dark clouds covering the sky, everything used to make the ambience somewhat romantic. Specially so when I did not need to get out. On the other hand, a sunny day, even though brighter and cheerful, was not pleasant as it would bring sweltering heat. Moreover, I am never much inclined to be out in the sun for long as it makes me sick. Thus in summer, I rather wished the cloud than the sun. I never thought a sunny day to be special. I never eagerly waited for it. Rather, I never had to wait for it, because it was sunny almost all the time.

Hence, it was really amusing as I saw people here waiting for the summer and sunny days. I could not understand it. When I came to Slovenia, it was autumn. Then I admired the colored leaves. In winter it was about enjoying the beauty of fresh white snow. Spring brought with it colorful flowers and pretty new leaves. Then the summer came. It was hot but cheerful and lively. And soon it was again time for autumn.

I had experienced all the four seasons and I still did not understand why people are so specially fond of summer and sun. It was for sure very cheerful, lively, colorful and pleasant. But still I could not find it so special. It was definitely very different from Indian summer, much more pleasant. But then, all the seasons were much different. And I was unable to perceive summer as something very exceptional. But as the autumn months came, I started to have the realization..

The colors and beauty of every season is very much different from that of India. And previously I was busy admiring the seasons, realizing there peculiarities, distinguishing it from the familiar Indian climate. I was so engrossed in their beauty and novelty that I failed to realize that I was enjoying these beauties only in sunny days! I had learnt that there is no distinct season of monsoon and it can rain any time of the year. It was strange to me. But I had only received the information as another fact. It was only the beginning of second year of my stay in Slovenia that made me literally realize the phrase ‘it can rain anytime of the year’. It does rain anytime. And often. Okay, not actually raining every time, but rather cloudy and grey.

I soon noticed how lifeless and grey were all the colors and joviality of the changing seasons under the spell of the clouds. And it would be cloudy and raining for days, and sometimes even weeks, together. It is heavy rain, or drizzles, or no rain. It varies. But what remains constant is the cloudy grey weather. And the clouds are accompanied by the fog which makes it worse. And the worst situation is in Ljubljana which is in a basin with hills surrounding it. Even when it is sunny outside, it is mostly cloudy and foggy in Ljubljana. As one travels out of the city, one can see the veil of fog lifting and the sky clearing.

I do not mind the cloud and rain so much. Anyway I am mostly inside at work. But then it does bother me. I cannot romanticize with the clouds. Everything gets grey. All look gloomy and depressed. And if it is like that for days, it annoys me. And then I find myself waiting for the sunny days.

I love and admire all the seasons here. I wait for each season to reveal its beauty. But then I love the seasons in sunny days. Then I can admire the colors, feel the air, and touch the nature. Then I can feel life all around me, and the joviality touches me too. My heart brims with cheerful glee. And all these colors are gone when clouds creep to cover the sun. Even though I still admire some very dark days of rain, and I love the summer afternoon showers; I do not feel good when a cloudy day welcomes me. I still love the rain, but I wish the sunny days. At least, more sunny days.

And so, today when I look at the sunny day outside my window, my heart is delighted. It is sunny after almost a week. My past week in Belgium was cold, windy and mostly cloudy. After I was back in Slovenia, the weekend did not show much of the sun either. And on Monday it was raining so badly all day long. I am finally glad to see everything bright today. I am merry that I will be enjoying yet another day of beautiful colors before autumn fades. The sun makes me smiling.

I now understand why people here wait for the sun. And I too wait with them..