Catania, Italy
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Well, today is a sweltering day - this morning was humid, an unfortunate aspect combined with the abominable heat coming up from the Sahara but thankfully one that has rapidly dispersed during the continuous onslaught of hot, arid winds that leave you feeling like you are in a furnace! Yesterday evening saw the city packed with people to reflect the heat that continued into the evening - at six in the evening it was still 28'C and I was able to stay out in just a light shirt and jeans until 4 in the morning and not feel at all cold. It is just incredible - I have had my windows open all day, even when I have gone out, but they actually let more heat in with the wind than having them closed. Without any movement in the air however it would be oppressive - my Tuscan housemate Andrea has already escaped into the mountains today and everyone else, even the Sicilians who are accustomed to bemoaning the cold, has been flat out trying not to move and generate any body heat. I did manage to go out and eat lunch at the hostel nearby, but essential shopping has been rapidly forgotten in the light of unfavourable conditions - I will just eat out for the next few days, saving sweat on shopping and, more to the point, cooking in our tiny unventilated kitchen
!
I am going back to lie down with a book where the air moves most at my window on some comfy cushions - the photo will give you some idea how heavenly that will now be thanks to the fact that my balcony is no longer in direct sunlight like this morning. I'm sweating just from the effort of typing - I don't see this essay getting done easily if this weather continues, and my friends have already promised that it normally lasts for at least a week! ITS NOT EVEN FULL SUMMER YET!!!!!
Jai
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