The Heat Is On

 Let’s just get one thing straight.  I prefer cooler climates.

I like it better when the winters are cold and snowy.  I’ve been that way as long as I can remember.  I can’t understand sun worshipers.  Purposely going out in the hot sun just to be there baffles me.  Why would you choose that?  Whenever I’m out in the sun, I’m looking for some shade to get in.  If there’s no shade, I look for a fan.  If there’s no fan, I wave quickly at my face.  You get the idea.

If I place the seasons in my order of preference, it looks like this:

1.       Fall

2.       Spring

3.       Winter

4.       Summer

In my mind there is nothing better than being outside on a crisp day in October.  Clouds in the sky.  A strong breeze in the air.  Leaves changing color.  Perhaps a cup of hot cider in my hands.  Now that’s living.  (Somehow I don’t think that I’ll get that opportunity much here!)

So, yes, one really significant concern for me before coming out here was the heat, plain and simple.  I wasn’t sure how I would react.  I went on an 85 mile rafting trip through central Utah this summer with my son.  It was hot, really hot.  Super-duper hot.  When we got home I complained to my love about the heat.  She was sympathetic to my feelings:

“I know!  I checked the weather report.  It was 106 degrees where you were.”

Ahhh, Shannon, I love you.  You understand what we suffered!

And then, in sweet compassion, she comforted me with:

“Which is exactly the same temperature as it is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.”

“Ummm… thanks hon.”

Well, now I’m here, and I’ve found it isn’t as bad as I expected.  Every building I’ve been in is well air conditioned.  Walks between buildings can be sweaty if you’re out more than about 5 minutes.  But you always have the next building, with its blessed AC, to look forward to.  And it feels so good to walk through the door.

I’ve been outside in 116 degree weather, and I survived.  But the day when it was only 93 degrees, and terribly humid, was considerably worse.  (Step outside and let the personal flood gates open.  Yessir!)  But I still survived.

It’s remarkable to see how there is a difference between morning temps (upper 80s, I would guess, at about 6:30 am) and crazy hot in the middle of the day, and a temperature reduction down to the low 100s at quitting time (4:00 pm).

It’s also remarkable to turn on my faucet at the hotel and get about three seconds of somewhat cool water (if it’s the first time in a while that I’ve turned it on) followed by the temperature rising to where it will stay – in something warmer than lukewarm.  Yeah – that’s the cold water straight outta the tap.  It is almost as hot as the hot water!

When I leave my building at work, there are three zones: 1. Nice AC inside, open the door and, 2. Wall of hot air slams into my face. Ugh.   But I keep moving forward through the shade cast by the building.  3. And then I walk out into the direct sunlight, which slaps me around and beats me into submission.  But then the momentary shock dissipates, and I simply go about my way.  It really isn’t all that bad. 

Go me!

Now, don’t get me wrong.  My ideal will always that cool, crisp, October day.  But I have found that I can do this.  And, for that, I am much relieved.