Monsoon season is around the corner. This week You! shares some rainy day activities to do when there’s heavy downpours…
monsoon
Monsoons are a breath of fresh air, a sigh of relief after a sweltering heatwave. For me, monsoon signifies the brightest hues, spellbinding aromas and fried food cravings. There are colours everywhere, from big vibrant umbrellas to trendy flip flops, leaves look bright green even the most mundane looks brand new. Ever wonder why it feels so relaxing after a hot shower? It is because after the body is exposed to a hot shower it takes time to cool down and get back to normal temperature; this process of cooling down has a relaxing effect on our body. Similarly, after a prolonged spell of scorching summer, the monsoon brings us a relaxing and comforting environment.
Pakistan is dominated by the rains from July to September from the South-west monsoon. This monsoon reaches Pakistan towards the beginning of July and establishes itself by the middle of the month. Although, whether it’s a bit of drizzle or a torrential downpour, rainy days can be a real challenge. Most of us don’t want to spend the day stuck indoors, but at the same time we don’t want to get soaking wet! These rainy day activities should give you some inspiration as to preventing the boredom of being inside all day…
Read a good book
A rainy day is the perfect time to submerge yourself in a good book. If it’s raining out, a person won’t want to go out to the library. Finish your current book or start a new one whilst curled up on the sofa listening to the rain splashing against the windows. If you don’t have a book you fancy to hand, download a new one – there are thousands upon thousands of titles! You could even try an audio book or podcast if you want a good story whilst resting your eyes!
Usually, on rainy days, it can be pretty grey outdoors. You can make up for this lack of sunshine by keeping things bright indoors with indoor lighting. On a rainy day, it’s okay to close the curtains and turn a light on to brighten things up.
Streaming a movie on a rainy day is a classic option, so I suggest you kick it up a notch by choosing a theme. Watch the entire Dark Knight trilogy from the beginning to the end. There is endless variety on Netflix – ‘The Crown’, Emily in Paris’, ‘The Queen’s Gambit’, ‘Money Heist’, ‘Elite’ and ‘The Bold Type’ are some of the options.
Up to you whether you splurge on an appointment at a fancy-shmancy spa, or if you set up your own DIY sitch at home. Either way, a self-care day holed up in your apartment will leave you feeling all sorts of rejuvenated. Just slap on a hydrating face mask and let the pitter patter of the rain act as your own personal white noise machine.
If you don’t fancy spending the whole day sitting down, perhaps a home workout would be a great way to spend some time. There are plenty of workout videos on YouTube if you don’t own any fitness DVDs. Finding videos online also means you can choose what sort of workout you want to do – cardio? Abs? Pilates? Put your gym gear on, lay out a mat and get moving!
While camping may not be your first thought when you think of things to do inside, who says tents have to stay outside? If you have a pop-up or small dome tent, it’s easy to set up camp for your kids indoors. If not, you can create tents by draping sheets over the couch. Make them comfy with airbeds, pillows, and sleeping bags, then follow through with a ‘to be eaten under’ canvas.
Forget trying to stay dry! Go outside planning to get wet. When it’s warm and raining, it’s fun to go play in the rain! Jump in the puddles and feel how high the splash goes up. Stand at the edge of the roof and observe how much harder the rain comes down from the edge of the roof than when it’s falling from the sky.
Monsoon edition
It’s not too hot. It’s not too cold. Monsoons are simply perfect. When the season hits, our bellies roar with the same intensity as the clouds. No one knows what it is about monsoons that sets the season apart from others and makes us crave a different variety of food items but what we do know are the lip-smacking foods you can have to satisfy the hunger when it rains.
Chai: A steaming cup of chai on a rainy evening is what we live for. It not only improves your mood but also gives an extremely comfortable feeling.
Pakoras: When the clouds are pouring down on the city, there’s nothing more we want than Pakoras. That, plus chutneys and chai. Oh my god, heavenly!
Bhuttas: Bhuttas can literally be found at every nook and corner during the season. Corn is overcooked and then topped with black pepper, salt, red chilli powder and lemon juice for flavour. Surely, this is worth experiencing.
Aloo Paratha: Who doesn’t love Aloo Paratha? Combine it with cool curd and spicy pickle for contrasting flavours, sit in the balcony and eat away while enjoying the rain and feeling the water droplets fall on your skin.
Chaat: What’s better than roadside chaat? Roadside style chaat in the rainy season is no less than ambrosia! Chats are spicy, making them perfect for the monsoons. From paani puri to bhel puri, these dishes deserve your attention and bite.
Jalebi: Piping hot bright orange beauties soaked in sugar syrup go really well with spicy samosas. If you haven't tried the combo yet, try it this monsoon.
