the weather report

The weather has finally cooled and we have had rain at least twice in the past month (That would be the only rain since I arrived for those of you keeping track). It has been pointed out to me that the change is not so much a temperature drop as it is a drop in humidity. This is an important detail.  

On Tuesday I decided to wear a tank top and a summer cardigan when the weather report showed the daily high was to be a balmy 27. A coworker on the tram that morning used her phone to confirm the humidity in the city was 98%. I think that's what she said.  It was difficult to focus on what she was saying because I was in the process of dying of heat exhaustion at the time.

I can assure you-any humidity over 95% blurs the line between walking and swimming.  I keep thinking that the daily commute may have the same slimming impact as a session of water aerobics. I eat cake for dinner at least twice a week, so I will never know. 

Unfortunately, social conventions here prevent me from wearing a bathing suit on my morning commute. I keep trying to imagine what it would be like to be married to me if I was required to wear a black face-covering polyester tent, stockings and gloves in this climate like many of the women on the tram. I think my husband would live in fear. Even now I worry about the safety of the next Egyptian who tells me that Alexandria is a perfect destination for summer tourists because the weather is so fine.

This dude is looking smug because he knows enough to live in the dry heat of Cairo.

Apparently I will be complaining about the damp cold by Christmas, so you will have that to look forward to while you tunnel your way to the car.