A Breakthrough

About an hour ago our driver Prakash said to me "It's really hot today. More than 100 degrees!" My mouth fell open at this news. I was shocked, not because the number sounded so outrageous, but because I hadn't noticed. He thought it was hot and it hadn't even occurred to me! Today I am wearing linen pants and a long-sleeved shirt and I hadn't noticed that it was hot outside! I almost didn't believe Prakash so when I got home I checked the weather. Sure enough, the heat index for this afternoon is 109 degrees.

Before we came the heat was my biggest concern. I am an adventurous sort who doesn't let too much bother her, but I remember summer days in Texas and thought I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of heat year-round. I don't know how best to explain the sensation, only to say that it is different from anything I have ever experienced. Chennai is not like Ohio, where on hot days you can feel the sun searing into your skin. It's also not like swampy DC where the air feels heavy. It is more like being inside an oven or a sauna. The heat envelopes you in an almost unobtrusive way. The high temperatures sneak up on you only after spending extended periods of time outside. In this way it is manageable.

I am pleased to say that I seem to have acclimated to the weather here. Now, it will be fifteen to twenty degrees warmer in April and May, so we'll see what I have to say then. In the mean time, armed with air-conditioning, I think I'll be just fine!

-Abbie