Day Two Hundred Eighty Four, November 2, 2011

When it rains, something magical happens in a big city. People begin to notice each other and to feel a touch more human. I think it has something to do with being together against a threat of some kind. I grew up in Lebanon during the war and I remember that each time there was danger, bombing, shooting, attacks, I found that the distance that is normally between people vanished. Rain can do that in a small way and you can find yourself exchanging smiles, wistful looks, simultaneous sighs at the heaviness and the inconvenience of the downpour with complete strangers. It is almost like we need a slap of reality to wake us up from our cages of voluntary isolation. Photo taken: a joyful walk in the downpour in the streets of the French Concession, Shanghai