In some parts of the USA, the "dog days" of summer have arrived with lots of heat. What I'm sending you today was actually written about Texas, but it could easily apply to other places in the northern hemisphere including, for us, the island of Hainan where we are teaching this month. Even though the temperature here reads in the low 90s on the thermometer, it feels *nothing* like the low 90s back in South Carolina. The "feels like" temps here (factoring in the high humidity and the intensity of the sun closer to the Equator) have been around 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Believe me, it is absolutely oppressive!
It's so hot that...
You're drowning in sweat the moment you step outside at 7:30 a.m. to go to work. (We actually commented this morning that here in Hainan, walking to class in the morning gives your clothes the same effect as a shower, without the freshness.)
The birds have to use pot holders to pull worms out of the ground.
The potatoes bake underground, and all you have to do for lunch is pull one out of the ground and add butter, salt, and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk.
You no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water.
You can say 110 degrees without fainting.
You eat hot chilies to cool your mouth off.
You can make instant sun tea.
You learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
The temperature drops below 95, and you feel a bit chilly.
You discover that in July, it takes only 2 fingers to drive your car - the steering wheel is so hot!
You discover that you *can* get a sunburn through your car window.
You decide the best parking place is determined by amount of shade instead of distance.
Hot water now comes out of both taps.
It's noon in July, kids are on summer vacation, and not one person is out on the streets.
A parent laments, "I wish it would rain - not so much for me, cuz I've seen it - but for my 7-year-old."
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
No one would dream of putting vinyl upholstery in a car or not having air conditioning.
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The trees are whistling for the dogs.
personal update...
I *think* I've tamed the monster of a computer in our apartment and that this iv will come through without all the numeric hieroglyphics! Once it's sent, though, it's too late. We'll see....
We're doing well and our classes are very nice. The size of each class is manageable, and the students are very nice and generally eager to learn. For me teaching middle school students this year instead of university age students has been an interesting "refresher course." It's amazing the universal squirrelliness of some middle school boys! Seems almost as if basic human nature is the same in whatever culture and time one lives, huh?
I will try to put out more pictures very soon. Life here is quite busy, and our days fill up very quickly with planning, spending time with people, and just doing daily survival tasks.
=^..^= =^..^= =^..^=
Rob
Even if the humor on ivman is not too hot, at least it's not always dry!
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