The Heat!

Yes, it’s HOT here. Some have been wondering what the weather is like here now. It’s HOT. Typically it’s in the high 90s everyday. Today 100 and tomorrow predicts 105. And temps are only going to continue to rise.

Yeah, to all of you who say, “But, it’s a dry heat!” Yes, it could be worse. But, a pizza oven is dry too ya' know. I don't care what any one says, dry, humid, whatever 105 degrees - is really freakin’ HOT.

The mornings start out deceptively nice, in the 70s with a nice breeze. But it heats up quickly. The breeze usually lasts throughout the day but in the sun this just feels like a hot hair drier blowing on you. The breeze only offers relief in the shade, which is surprisingly cool. But in the heat of the day, even children lounge in the shade like lethargic slugs.

The buildings do stay cool thankfully. The marble that I cursed in the winter for freezing me out is now my savior. And if you keep the windows and shades drawn it’s almost bearable inside.

The heat and day-light savings time forces everyone change their natural-body schedules. People just want to sleep due to the heat and often nap in the late afternoon. Young children come out to play in the streets after sunset 8:30ish and play long after I’ve gone to bed. The evening meal is delayed even later then usual – you cannot cook in this heat. So in turn everyone is sluggish again the next morning.

Interestingly enough, the young Muslim women DO wear the cute little tank tops and fashionable short-sleeve shirts. However, they also wear another shirt underneath it like a spandex body suit that covers them from the neck to the wrists – believe it or not. And of course they are still wearing head scarves and older women still wear the full abayya (covering) – often in black. I don’t know how they do it?!?! I sweat just looking at them.

The men often wear gallabayas – the long shirts that look like dresses. This is often a class distinction however; the lower or working class and general laborers wear this year round. Professional, white collar working men typically wear western dress.

Gallabayas

Me? I’m still trying to keep up respectable and conservative appearances, at least at the office. I wear Capri or long pants, occasional long skirt and three-quarter length sleeves.
Once at home the shorts and tank tops come on though! The funny thing is that is exactly what the Egyptian women do at home too. In the privacy of their own homes and as long as there are no unrelated men around they can wear anything they want - and they do.