Friday, June 08, 2012

i shall survive


For something we cannot do anything about, we certainly talk about it a lot.

The weather, that is.

A lot of my expatriate compatriots moved to Mexico for the weather.  I didn't.

And that is fortunate.  Because my comfort level hovers between 55 and 65 degrees.  Toss in some drizzle and skies the color of old American battleships, and I will be content.

I came to Mexico for other reasons.  And because those reasons are still attractive, I tolerate the weather.

The weather and my bucolic locale, relieves me of all of those silly "what must I wear" questions.  The answer is repeated each morning.  The same sandals, shirt, and shorts I have been wearing for the past week.

When I returned to Melaque last week, the air made me feel as if I was in the gut of a crocodile.  90 degrees.  85% humidity.  Bad enough that I could not sleep for three nights.

And when I finally got around to breakfast, I discovered the humidity had dissolved all the glue on the cereal box, and the bananas I had bought two days before had been baked in the Cartesian oven I call home.  Not simply ripened.  Baked.

There are two ways to deal with the heat: acclimation and accommodation.

I thought I had lost my acclimation from spending well over a month in the air-conditioned bosom of a cruise ship.  But even the young woman at my favorite local grilled chicken stand said she was unable to sleep because of the heat. 

It was an odd discovery.  Taking solace in shared misery.  Para-schadenfreude.

That left accommodation. 

My neighbors are expert at it.  Going out only in the early morning hours.  Walking on the shady side of the street.  Moving slowly.  Carrying the ubiquitous sweat rag for men and umbrella for women.  Indulging in the sybaritic pleasures of the siesta.

Or, in my case, just sticking around the house on my shaded patio.  Catching up on my accumulated reading.  And taking advantage of available breezes -- from the laguna and my Duracraft fan.

That, of course, will last only so long.  The Prisoner of Zenda is a part I could never play.  Eventually, I will mount the Shiftless Escape and start exploring the local countryside.

But, for now, I will catch up on the financial news, read a good book or two, and try to make some sense out of the political scene -- here, in Egypt, in Greece, and the United States.

The temperatures are still hovering around 90.  But the humidity has dropped to 75% or so.

With a bit of acclimation, and a lot of accommodation, I can Gloria Gaynor it.

24 comments:

Don Cuevas said...

Lo siento mucho, Steve. Up here in the Michoacán highlands, we sleep with one to two blankets every night.

Saludos,Don Cuevas 

Beth said...

June 8 in Oregon is right up your alley - 52 degrees cloudy and rain showers. I don't envy your humidity, but would appreciate the temp being about 20 degrees warmer.

Irene said...

"expatriate compatriots" I like the rhythm of that phrase.  It is a balmy 54 degrees here, somewhat NOB.  Do you have a ceiling fan?

Steve Cotton said...

I am not surprised at the weather.  After all, itis Rose Festival time.

Steve Cotton said...

Later in the summer, I intend to be up your way.  Until then, I will remain unblanketed.

Steve Cotton said...

I rather liked that one myself. 

I have ceiling fans.  Floor Fans.  Desk fans.  My apartment looks like a retrofit depot for Boeing.

tancho said...

Oh the martyrdom of expatriate living. We too have to give up so much...the heat, the humidity, the bugs, alligators et al.

One Small Voz said...

 I second this. Although at 4500ft above sea level we still have warm days. The way we deal with the heat - climatization (a/c or go higher up).

dunno said...

True to your employment status, weather has jumped to the top of the list. Look out world here comes, body aches, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Dr. Oz? ;)

Dan in NC said...

Battleship grey sky's, mid 50s at night, high 60s to low 70s during the days? Sounds like the next fortnights weather in London.. Slightly more expensive than your present digs, and definitely more a more culturally rich environ - but the epididimy of the rat race you are trying to get away from.. To paraphrase my favorite philosopher - "No matter where you go, There you are!"... Looks like a trip up the hill should be on your schedule, eh?
Dan in NC

sparks said...

We had the same idea on the same day ... with my post of it being 'two shower a day weather'.    I have 2 fans running 24/7 and just got my CFE bill of $317 pesos so don't plan to worry about rates

Andean said...

This weather mantra sounds to be, the calm before the storm. May it be fruitful.

LeslieLimon said...

I didn't move here for the weather either, but year after year, the weather bothers me more and more.  I'm never happy.  It's either too cold or not cold enough in the winter, or it's just too darn hot like it is right now.  I just have to remind myself that rain season is right around the corner, and somehow I will Gloria Gaynor it. :)  

Steve Cotton said...

My summer trip to the highlands last year was the highlight of my Mexico stay.  Culture and cool.

Steve Cotton said...

 Hmm.  Will that tongue ever come out of your cheek?

Steve Cotton said...

 When I start watching Wheel of Fortune, just tip my walker (and me) into the laguna.

Steve Cotton said...

I thought about retiring outside of London.  Primarily for the culture.  And fitting in would not be a problem.  My manor house friends tend to think of me as a social oddity.  Outside of the hierarchy.  Much as they treat their retrievers. 

Steve Cotton said...

I wonder how much i am running up my land lady's bill.

Steve Cotton said...

 The bad thing about the rain storms will be the loss of electrical power -- and internet service.

Steve Cotton said...

I am fine with the weather this week.  But that means living like I am under house arrest. But I am saying within the realm of comfortable.

Felipe Zapata said...

Your masochism level is always a wonder to behold. A shrink could have a field day with you.

John Calypso said...

We are sunbirds - chasing the weather between Xico, Veracruz and Puerto Escondido.  Doing 6 and 6 creates a pretty grand weather pattern.  The way I figure it life it too short to be ruled by the weather - follow the path of weather between 60F-85F  leave the rest of it for others.

Steve Cotton said...

 I suspect I would drive the profession mad.

Steve Cotton said...

 Not a bad lifestyle.