It was one of those days where nothing quite went right. Where from the moment of waking you just know that things aren't going to be easy. I woke up with a migraine shortly before my alarm was to go off; realising how bad I felt, deciding to instead return to sleep for a few more hours in hopes of sleeping it off. I didn't set a second alarm and slept all the way through to 3PM. I still had the migraine. And no tablets remaining at home to take, usually that is what does the trick after a short hour. The weather was more fitting to my liking though, and despite the air pollution which remained it seemed like it'd soon clear up with a bit of rainfall. I really needed that rainfall.
Towards the evening, as the rain began, I decided I'd get out a bit in hopes that some fresh air would make me feel a bit better. I hopped on the bus and went off into the city hoping to have a little walk around and scout for some additional Christmas markets. Soon the city will hold a huge event for the opening of the main Christmas tree and turning on of its lights. This will be a thing of total chaos, but it seems that for now the city slowly continues to decorate and prepare. It was a Friday night to which the city tends to see a bit more life as everyone gets off work and heads out to restaurants, cafes, or bars. Though that rain kept the streets mostly empty.
It was an odd feeling as the night progressed, I continued to walk during the moments in which the rain wasn't too heavy. Despite there being rain, I didn't quite prepare for it. The camera was getting a bit wet and the low level of light in the more quiet areas made for some really comfortable spaces to walk around, but not take pictures. Where the only light came from the glow of street lights and shops, amplified by the mist filter I had over the 35mm lens. The air grew colder, but these areas felt peaceful. Finally I was not noticing the migraine I had so much. Focusing on the quiet streets and the little parks which provided some shelter from the rain.
I looked at my phone and noticed the time: coming up on 11PM. This is about the time the last bus runs from the city to my area. I was a little sad that it was going to make me head home, where I would've much preferred to have continued enjoying the peace of a city which felt like it had opened up for me to explore in quiet solitude as the hours went by. Though it grew colder. My hands turning red. Where keeping them in the pockets of my hoodie no longer provided the warmth it did before. The dampness starting to reach through the corduroy I had over it, adding to the coldness. Shooting the empty streets continues to be something I love. Despite wanting to photograph people more, there's something to be felt in those moments where it feels like it's just you and the world. Where the atmosphere is amplified by the reflections from the rain. And the sounds of cars are briefly heard.
Hopefully, next time, I won't be so low energy with a migraine.