Tag Archives: shot in the rain

Bangkok, Destination Overview, Rainy Day Photos

Rainy Day Bangkok

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A Shot in the Rain: Bangkok

Shoppers take the monsoon rain in stride in Bangkok.
Photo by Jamie Rector
The eastern City of Angeles gets a lot more rain than the one in the west, with Bangkok averaging about 58 inches of rain per year compared to L.A.’s fifteen. A little rain, or even a lot, doesn’t stop the Thai people from going about their everyday business as usual. This month, writer and photographer Jamie Rector shares some of her favorite rainy day activities in Bangkok, Thailand. From the frenetic energy of a Muay Thai Boxing match to the serenity found inside the city’s thousands of Buddhist temples, Bangkok has something for every taste.
Kayte Deioma, Editor

Bangkok Features:

Destination Overview, Guadalajara, Mexico, Rainy Day Photos

Rainy Day Guadalajara, Mexico

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A Shot in the Rain: Guadalajara

Bodeguita del Medio Cuban Bar and Restaurant in Guadalajara, Mexico
A rainy night at the Bodeguita del Medio Cuban Bar and Restaurant in Guadalajara, Mexico. Photo by Kayte Deioma

 A Rainy Day in ….Guadalajara, Mexico

Violinist Sergio Caratachea Alvarez of the Mariachi Internacional de Guadalajara on Plaza de Armas with the kiosko and cathedral lit up in the background. Guadalajara, Jalisco, MexicoGuadalajara, Jalisco is known as the most Mexican of Mexican cities. It is the birthplace of such Mexican icons as Mariachi, Tequila and the Charro or Mexican cowboy. Many of the traditional folk arts we recognize as Mexican are also created here. It is Mexico’s second largest city with a population of 1.6 million in the City proper and over four million in the metropolitan area. Greater Guadalajara includes the municipalities of Tlaqupaque, Zapopan and Tonolá as well as the city of Guadalajara. Each has its own distinct historical center, but their modern suburbs have become intertwined.

A sudden downpour splashes in the fountain at Quinta Real Hotel, Guadalajara, Jalisco, MexicoThe “pearl of Jalisco,” as the city is known, has a wonderful climate for year-round outdoor activities with average high temperatures in the 70s and 80s all year long. June through September is the rainy season, with July averaging 20 days of rain. El Nińo conditions extended the rain through October this year. That doesn’t mean that it will rain all day long for days at a time, but you should always be prepared for a cloudburst.

My hotel, the Quinta Real, was prepared for this eventuality with umbrellas propped at every door and clear plastic curtains to roll down around thePatio Restaurant at the Quinta Real Hotel, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexicopatio restaurant for the duration of the downpour. I could have ensconced myself with a good guide book in my golden suite to wait out the rain at this all-suite boutique hotel with a colonial flavor. I could have taken up residence in the bar for a signature Mariana (a kiwi strawberry margarita with salt and chili powder on the rim of the glass), or lingered in the restaurant to enjoy any of Chef Gabriel Duram’s scrumptious meals accompanied by a variety of musicians who play for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I could have explored the collection of one-of-a-kind historical Spanish and Mexican artwork displayed throughout the hotel’s public areas, or spent some time catching up on email in the business center. And to tell the truth, I did all of those things, but still found some rainy and not-so rainy moments to explore other rainy day possibilities in this beautiful city.

Guadalajara Features:

Tapatio Hospitality Revisited: Sometimes You Really Can Go Back

Shop til you drop at Mercado Libertad

For more rainy day Guadalajara alternatives, check out the Rainy Day Links page.

Cleveland, Destination Overview, Rainy Day Photos

Rainy Day Cleveland, Ohio

A Shot in the Rain: Cleveland

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame through a rainy windshield. Photo by Kayte Deioma

Most visitors to Cleveland are traveling on business, visiting relatives, or headed to the famed Cleveland Clinic for medical procedures. On this trip, I fit in the middle category . My sister Ellie and her three kids live about 15 minutes from the Cleveland Airport. They came out to help me explore some fun things to do in Cleveland when it rains.

Cleveland tends to get a bad rap in the media, being the brunt of many jokes, so first time visitors are surprised at what a cultured and entertaining experience awaits them. Cleveland has great outdoor activities in the summer, including water sports on the lake and concerts and festivals in its many parks and public spaces, an excellent Zoo and not too far away in Sandusky, the top amusement park in the world, Cedar Point.

There are also plenty of great rainy day alternatives. Everyone knows about the Rock & Roll Hall of fame, so we decided to visit some less well know venues. My 14-year-old nephew Derick, who had been to both on school trips and only had time for one with us, voted to revisit the Great Lakes Science Center. Seven-year-old Becca was anxious to show her five-year-old sister, Sarah the Natural History Museum, especially the “dome” movie at the Planetarium.

My sister Carol drove up from Alliance to join me for a tour of historic autos at the Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum and to try out the flight simulator at the NASA Glenn Research Center. We also stepped out for a little Cleveland nightlife at Hilarities 4 th Street Comedy Club at Pickwick and Frolic. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about our experiences.
Kayte Deioma

Cleveland Features:

Kid Stuff:

Going Solo:

For more things to do in Cleveland, check out Cleveland Rainy Day links.