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Today there’s a storm in Sicily. A rare Mediterranean hurricane that has sent a deluge of months’ worth of rain down on top of the island, in the past 24 hours. Social media is awash (literally) with photos and videos showing flooded streets, towering waves and submerged cars. Friends have had to called the Fire Service as water levels in their garden rise relentlessly. Despite the pump they’re using to try to divert it, flooding is threatening their newly renovated house, their labour of love of the past four years.
“Make journeys that are only strictly necessary” came the message from the mayor’s office. “Stay home”.. Schools, kindergartens, universities – all are closed again today as this part of Sicily manages the Red Level weather alert that’s in place ‘til the storm abates..
A day like this has got me thinking… you see, the Irish love talking about the weather. It’s a constant theme in our conversation. And it’s not just small talk either. It really matters to us! I think it’s because it’s always changing, entirely unpredictable and forever taking us by surprise. Although attributed to Mark Twain, there’s a well-worn phrase in Ireland, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes and it’ll change”. We’ve all experienced the phenomenon of four seasons in one day. We can’t plan anything because Murphy’s Law means it’ll probably rain if we do! Cancelled barbecues are more a feature of an Irish summer than actual barbecues.
We console ourselves with sayings like “happy is the bride that the rain falls on” (really???) Apparently it’s incredibly difficult to untie a knot that’s become wet, so the marriage is set to last! However, it’s also said that “happy is the corpse that the rain falls on”… The raindrops are tears of the angels, crying, not for the deceased but rather for those who’ve been left behind on earth! In a land where weddings and funerals are massive occasions, it’s important to convince ourselves that a bit of rain can’t spoil either!
Of course, then there’s the other extreme. While sweltering in Sicily last summer, I was amused to read headlines across the Irish media, of imminent heatwaves and warnings of temperatures soaring to the mid twenties! I know, it’s all relative, but what I wouldn’t have given to swap my 40° for that balmy 25!
When my Italian neighbours and friends are all wrapped up in January and I’m in short sleeves and no coat, a simple “I’m Irish” reassures them that nothing awful will befall me for not dressing for winter when it feels like a beautiful spring day to me.
In Ireland we’re obsessed with the weather because we need it to plan our day! Sandals or wellies, cycle or drive, picnic or cinema.. the weather influences many of our daily decisions.
Here in Sicily, January 29th, 30th and 31st are i giorni della merla – the days of the blackbird. Tradition says if these three days are cold, spring will come early. If they are warm, it will be late. It says nothing about rare Mediterranean hurricanes though, so we’ll just have to sit this one out .
Perhaps today the most apt of Irish sayings on the weather is “Sunshine always follows rain”.. good times always follow bad, keep hope alive, hang in there..
Whatever the weather, I hope you find sunshine in your day.
