2/1/10...it's really H-O-T!!

Once again, it is the hot season. I think that I mention that it is hot here in Benin. But now, it’s seriously really, really hot. It’s the kind of hot there is no good relief from

It’s somewhat cool(er) in the mornings and in the evenings. I dread stepping out into the world anytime between the hours of 10am and 4ish pm. It’s just too much sun to handle. It is energy sucking heat. For example, yesterday I woke up at 7ish to go to make up some classes after sleeping for over eight hours. I held class from 8am to 10am. And then I walked home just like always, except that it’s now like 10x hotter. I ate a mango and then took a two hour nap. Upon waking up, I made some lunch and read for 20 minutes or so before falling asleep for another three hour nap. The power was out, so therefore my fan was not on. But doesn’t really make much of a difference because, who likes hot air being blown on an already overheated body?

I swear the temperature has got to be in the 90s, if not in the 100s.

Considering the circumstances, I have taken to sleeping outside in my little patio area. I have jimmy rigged a mosquito net up and brought out my other mattress. The difference in temperature between inside and outside the house is like day and night…haha. All day long the sun beats down on my little tin roof, pouring its nasty rays into my house where the heat gets trapped in the brick walls. It’s like living inside a pizza oven.

There were several moments yesterday, probably when the power was out (and so was the water), when I questioned myself about putting myself through the rest of the hot season (May-June). But if I survived last year, I am sure I can make it again.

Speaking of power outages, as of lately, they are happening quite frequently. I am fortunate enough to be in a large town where the power cuts are not as frequent as villages with electricity. Apparently, large towns and cities have privilege over small towns and villages. It turns out a certain country didn’t pay some electricity bills….or something like that.