Santiago - The purifying rain

Help is offered to cross the street

  So just after enjoying the sunny autumn weather here in Santiago for a few days, the rain came. And for 2 days straight it rained!
   I helped my neighbour collect all the fallen leaves on his veranda. He told me that; "even a single leaf can cause a flooding when spread out over the drainage. Especially with heavy downfall" - Oh, thats true..! o.O
   It is a fact that the draining system in the city is anything but effective, and occasionally causes minor implications for those traversing in the streets. As for car / motorbikers, it is vital to know how the different streets can handle the rain, as some very easily become flooded!


   Although when the rain subsided, I was awestruck by the reminder that in fact, Santiago does abide in a valley between two major mountain chains; The widely known Andes chain and the Chilean Coastal Range.      
   This pictures is taken from my neighbourhood, and was in fact the first time I laid eyes on the Andes from the city itself. The mountains provide opportunities for rock climbing, downhill skiing, and an amazing view when the smog is cleared away. - Awesome!


   The rain helps to effectively clean the air from the exhaust that gets trapped within the valley, thus clearing the dense smog that otherwise settles over the city. I never really paid much attention to the smog until it was cleared, but now I almost miss the rain, despite ALL the street vendors in the city yelling; "Paraguas! Paraguas atomaticos!"
   So after all the implications due to the heavy rain, one is well awarded with a astounding view of the very impressive mountain chains, from anywhere in the city!