Be Careful What You Ask For

Greg and I lived in winter for over a year. We had forgotten what is was like to walk around without a coat and and hat- or to wear shorts, dresses (I speak for myself on that one), flip flops, etc.... I can now no longer remember what it is like to be cold.

Webster defines "hot" as "having or giving off heat; having a high temperature". I think I can do better. Real heat- hot summer days- are intense. A shower using only the "cold" knob feels hot, you want to strip down to nothing, it's too hot to eat or cook, and you feel as though there is not enough water in the world to quench your thirst. Your clothes cling to you, and as you stand after sitting for a few mintues, it looks as though you have peed your pants. h This is the definition from Sheila's Dictionary. It has been around 95-104 here- and even at 3 AM it only gets down to 85... if you're lucky.

And it has taught me a few things. When I first arrived in Argentina, there were signs everywhere advertising "ambiente climatizado"- or a good climate- meaning air conditioning. This is a very special- more important than the WIFI sticker at the moment. Lesson 1- we take a/c for granted in the US. Our house does not have AC- and almost no one does.... and if you do it is not central a/c- it is a small wall unit. Fans feel like heaters blowing on you. Lesson 2: while I did not think this was important and actually thought it was funny initially, I now look for the "ambiente climatizado" before giving a place my business.

In case I forgot to mention it earlier, Greg and I are living in Mendoza. It is beautiful, full of tree lined streets, home of all Argentine wines, and it is also a desert. Lesson 3: If you can't stand the heat, get out of the desert. We have entered into more of a summer than we bargained for ...... and now I can't wait for snow!