20060909 004.jpg (Posted 2006.09.27)

When it rains heavily, there's not much point going out; might as well wait until it stops. Even with an umbrella, the legs and shoes would soon be soaked by splashing raindrops and unexpected puddles.

After a while the stairway is jammed. People repeatedly work their way up to the entrance, see that it really is still raining hard, and then - even more slowly - work their way back down again. Just a few people - perhaps in a hurry, or better prepared than the rest of us, or simply unconcerned about getting wet - actually pass in or out. The rest of us stand patiently, or less patiently trace our slow circuits up and down the steps.