Perfect Day

The thing about living on the 22nd floor of an apartment block without a balcony is that until you make the effort and take the elevator, walk the length of the lobby level and then take another elevator to ground level, you can not really predict what the weather is really like outside. That probably sounds really lazy of me, but even if the elevators all arrive promptly this journey can take 5 minutes. I miss the ease of simply unlocking the back door and stepping outside onto the deck and just feeling, instantly, what it's like out there.

I've tried opening the window and sticking my arm out (without looking down because that makes me feel dizzy) to test for temperature and humidity levels but it's not always accurate. There is always a subtle difference once you reach ground level.

Today, in addition to my pre-training study schedule, I had some chores to run. I did the window test as usual and it seemed surprisingly pleasant so I quite happily got suitably attired and headed out. For one who probably seems to complain a lot about the weather here, I wanted to make a point of blogging today because the weather was PERFECT. That's right...Perfect. It felt like Spring; very pleasantly warm (no jacket required after all), a gentle breeze, sunshine...no humidity...perfect.

As is often the way when you are on a learning curve and trying to do things for the first time, my chores did not all go to plan and that's all I'll say on that because it didn't matter. I accomplished what I accomplished and then as it was so gorgeous, I decided to enjoy my usual morning coffee in the park rather than at home. I purchased my take-away coffee and started walking towards my favourite place. My private sanctuary.

Just like any city, lunchtime gets very busy here with all the office workers taking their lunch break so I didn't fancy my chances of getting a park bench to sit on, let alone my very favourite seat in the entire park, but as often happens on days like this, when the sun is shining and you feel good about life, it all worked out. As I made my way up some steps I noticed people below eating lunch in an open air restaurant...the birds were singing...and the inviting sound of the waterfall got more intense as I got closer to it and as I rounded the final corner, took the few steps down to the little courtyard, I was thrilled to discover that My Private Sanctuary was waiting for me.

There were people filling all the other benches I'd passed but this was my little slice of heaven. As it always does, the sound of the waterfall drowned out all the other noises...of which there are many at this time of day...and there I sat and enjoyed my coffee. Like the weather, it was perfect. I didn't want to leave but I knew I had to...my books were waiting...