THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250068
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ELIZABETH OXHORN, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 62 lines
THEY SAY when it rains, it pours. ``They'' must have lived in Charlottesville.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is home of the University of Virginia and torrential rains.
During high school I was bombarded with slick brochures covered with pictures of students studying on the lawn and socializing in front of the famous Rotunda. The brochures mentioned how the spirit of its founder, Thomas Jefferson, still lived on at the University.
What they didn't mention was the rain.
When I first arrived at U.Va. in late August, I decided that I was going to conquer the rain.
I prepared for battle by first choosing my weapon - the umbrella. I chose a compact model in basic black. It would be with me constantly, stashed away in my book bag, ready at a moment's notice.
By the end of the first drenching day, I was ready for a new plan. My guaranteed-for-life book bag was soaked, my brand-name tennis shoes had muddy brown laces, and my umbrella had become a skeleton of wires and black fabric.
It was time to do some research.
I began with one of my favorite activities - people watching. While a few brave souls - mostly guys - chose to leave their rain gear at home, the streets on the university grounds were filled with a rainbow of umbrellas in every size and color. Some chose the compact models while others carried umbrellas large enough to cover all of their closest friends.
There were plaid umbrellas and solids. Some had cartoon characters while others had designer logos. Other students chose to go with a raincoat, whether it was a $5 poncho or a $60 U.Va. anorak. Foot protection was important, and duck boots were overwhelmingly popular.
The second part of my research involved talking to my neighbor Arlette Jackson from Norfolk. She's a third-year so she knows about this stuff.
``This is no time to be chic,'' she said. ``Duck boots are essential. I never owned a pair until I got here.''
I made a mental note to check out the prices on duck boots. I'm still checking.
``Always carry your umbrella,'' she added. ``You never know when it's going to rain and when it rains in Charlottesville, it really rains.''
I was beginning to feel empowered in my battle against the rain. I had done my research and purchased the biggest umbrella I could find.
Then, one hot Sunday afternoon, I looked out my window and noticed that it was raining. I told a friend that I was going outside.
She looked at me incredulously as I ran out of the building without my umbrella. The rain felt incredibly refreshing after the hot weather. Steam rose from the pavement as the rain hit the warm concrete.
For a moment, I believed I was crazy and then they came one by one. Students who were normally never without an umbrella ran out of their dorms to enjoy the rain. We laid on rain-soaked benches, stomped in puddles, and begged the dark skies for more rain when it stopped.
I declared a truce with the rain that day. I still carry my super-sized umbrella. I still make my daily phone call to the local radio station's weather hotline so they can tell me that we have another flash flood watch. I still sit at the window watching the rain fall and realize it is not the day for my Birkenstocks. But, hey, that's life in Charlottesville and I'm learning to love it. MEMO: Elizabeth Oxhorn is a freshman at the University of Virginia. by CNB