LEARNING TO LIVE IN A HOT HUMID CLIMATE

Coming from a cool climate it takes a little time to get used to the high temperatures and the high humidity. The good thing is I have spent the past 6 months getting used to 80-86 degree weather and think I acclimated quite easily and comfortable. But take into consideration that I am a cold person by nature. I’m always the first to put on a jacket or sweater and always kept my home at 72 or 72 plus. So the heat of the sun has always been my friend.

On the down side, I perspire heavily. I learned years ago that the make- up that give you that lovely flawless complexion look, just runs in rivers on my face and I gave up wearing it while in Mexico along time ago

We are now where the daily high is hovering at 89-90 and cooling to 75at best in the dead of the night. And I don’t think the indoor temp has been lower that 76 ever in my apartment. All winter my balcony has been in shade all day long and it is where i have been eating all my meals. The sun is now shifting so that I will have lots of balcony sun and hot sunshine streaming through my windows all summer long. The solution I chose to keep me more comfortable rather than full on air conditioning 24/7 is “parasinas” which is Spanish for shades. These are sun screen shades that roll down to my balcony railing and beautifully filter the light. I can still see out but it keeps my balcony shaded. This will help to keep my apartment cooler and hopefully keep the air conditioner off as much as possible. I’ll be letting you know how well I think these sun screens help as time goes by.

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Now this is just the early days of summer weather, and I’m told that it will get hotter. But once your set up for hot weather you expect it and are prepared for it. None of this 3 days of super high temperatures followed by a week of 65 degree weather. You know you never go out with out water and a sweat rag. Be your busiest during the morning and evening cooler times. And take that siesta, weather you nap or not is of no importance, but relax, read a book, rejuvenate. It really makes sense. Also I’ve learned not to hurry. since I am fully retired it’s easy to accomplish. I make sure I have lots of time to get to wherever I’m going.

In my apartment my rule has been that I would turn on the ceiling fan if I started to sweat. And that’s worked great up til now. But now I am sweating most of the time my fans are almost always on continually depending which room I’m in. I have 3 ceiling fans one for kitchen, living room and bedroom. I try to only run only the fan for the room I am in, but quite frequently all three will be whirling around in concert.

Preparing meals under a fan has some interesting aspects. Please remember I’m no cook, and anything with more than 3 or 4 ingredients is gourmet and I leave for the experts. But when grinding salt or pepper for my salads I find a large grainy circle surrounding my plate where the fan has disbursed half the salt and pepper. Same thing happens when I tear open the packet of Splenda for my coffee, most of it is flys halfway down the countertop. I laugh to think of someone needing to sift flour.

Sweeping the floor is another issue, as you sweep the fan is busy redistributing your sweepings. I think I need a housekeeper as it is to warm to clean with the fans off and quite impossible to do with them on. Maybe that’s when I should turn on the air conditioner? Still like the idea of a housekeeper.

Signing off KO