The Calm Before The Storm

It has begun. It is the calm before the storm. The streets are empty except for a few people who have dared to spend energy pre-partying. The biggest event of the city will start soon. People are home, cocooning in their beds, resting before getting up early and marching to the lake where games will begin. Packed with cheap alcohol, discount camping chairs and rain ponchos they will defy the cold wind slapping them in their faces and the cold crawling in under their coats. They will drink to stay warm as they've been taught as teenagers. They will watch people compete in a drinking game. Thirty thousand people will gather to celebrate this tradition. But right now it is quiet. The rain is falling and everybody not asleep yet is praying for it to stop before morning. Outfits are being chosen, food and snacks prepared so a tired hand can grab it at first light and get going. In just a few hours the first will hit the streets and later on many more will join them for what will be an epic day.