Hot Hot Heat

It’s amazing that anything gets done in Tropical destinations or ones where heat dominates the landscape AT ALL. No wonder the State of Affairs are in such a shambles. I am completely useless in the heat. It is so hot and humid here that beating the heat is a full-time job. Out of the shower and a layer of sweat has already formed on your body by the time you have finished drying off. Forget about make-up or cotton shirts that at one point seemed fine. Those cotton blends now feel as if they were made of hot, hot LEATHER. You find yourself wondering, “Would it be appropriate if I spent the day teaching in my bra and panties? I mean, would anyone really even mind?” My classroom has three open doors and 5 fans. Still hot. Sweat on the lip and streaming down the back at all times. Meanwhile, the locals are wandering around in JEANS and socks and SHOES. God, I break out in sweat just looking at them. And then they tell you it’s not so bad right now. And proceed to regale you with stories about how 2 weeks ago it was 104 degrees. A hundred and four!! God, it’s only about 32 degrees here right now, but with the humidity and lack of wind, it feels like about 45.

Ice cubes don’t even turn your water cold because they melt too quickly. And any time I thought I would have after teaching (we finish at three) is spent talking about how hot it is. I know what you’re thinking: Hey, why not take a nice cold shower? Doesn’t that sound refreshing? Yes,yes, it sure does, except that the water tank which provides me the water is up on the roof and taking in the heat of the HOT, HOT sun all day. So the water is warm. WARM!!! You know how disappointing that is?! And how ‘bout a nice refreshing dip in the ocean, you say? Well, yes except that we happen to be in the only place in Belize where the river feeds into the Caribbean Sea and there are alligators there. Also, because of the rain, the water is brown and murky. And salty. I’d rather take a warm shower, thanks.

And the bugs, oh the bugs. Mosquitos and these little annoying sand flies. And if only there was a wind. And forget about trying to make any proper decisions. I keep thinking I can spend some of my evening planning, but the heat prevents me from making any rational decisions. Too hot. Crossing my legs causes them to slide of my sweaty leg. It’s sweaty itchy, hot and humid here. I’d type more, but it may cause me to slip into dehydration.

Still not as hot as Korea, tho'...