(101 Things about Shanghai) Umbrellas

Shanghai has about three distinct rainy seasons: the freezing, bitterly sharp and spiky winter rains; the lackadaisical early spring rains which come and go and often leave you without an umbrella because the blue skies had misled you; the sweltering and humid summer rains, which are heavy and drenching, like a bucket poured over you.

If this city has a water shortage, it is due to poor planning and infrastructure,  and not to a lack of fresh water.

I grew up on the west coast of Canada, which is technically a rain forest. I grew up wearing Gore Tex on beaches and expecting rain rather than snow in winter.  I camped in puddles and knew my way around tarps.  I never had much use for umbrellas though.

In Shanghai, however, the general humidity makes my old uniform of rain coats/wind-breakers awkward and sweaty.

Here, you dress as usual and carry an umbrella wherever you go.

In April, as in June when the Plum Rains hit, it is best to carry an umbrella at all times. The early morning blue skies are deceptive. It will rain. And everyone except you will have a lovely big umbrella unfurled.

In rainy season, the university hallways are ablaze with the colours of dozens of umbrellas, opened up to dry during class time.  Some are plain and plaid, others are pink or rainbow or frilled or enormous and black. Mine is huge and rainbow striped on the outside, with an inner lining that looks like puffy clouds in blue skies.  I think it is quite beautiful.