Temperature Issues

From Brad.

Sorry for the delay! Life's been a little busier than normal lately. I guess the longer we hang around this place, the more friends we make, the more commitments we have and the busier we become.

One of the differences between our new and old culture is 'normal room temperature'. To support Einstein's famous theory, 'normal' can be a very relative word. In America, I believe 'normal' room temperature is around 70-72. We would often keep our home at about that, maybe a little lower. We grew up in Houston where the A/C was on approximately 11 months out of the year. Going out in the summertime wasn't terrible b/c you'd hop from your air conditioned home to your air conditioned car to the air conditioned building where you'd shop/eat/etc. Now we live in a city that is pretty close to Houston's climate. However, we find ourselves generally wiping some perspiration off of our forehead for the following two reasons:

1. Room temperature here is around 79-80 degrees F. Although we may keep our apartment around 72, the establishments around here do not (if they have A/C).
2. We find ourselves walking alot more here. When we don't walk, the public transportation may or may not have A/C. If it does have A/C, it may not be a very effective A/C unit.

Many here view A/C as a necessary evil and the cause of many health problems. Amy's back doctor shared with her the other day that although he was burning up last night, he refused to turn on his A/C because it would not be good for his infant daughter. He was shocked when she told him we keep our A/C around 72, and said it was not good for her back. When I explained to a local friend that Savannah woke up with her leg hurting the night before, they informed me that setting her A/C at 73 was the culprit (although we have done this for 2 months with no problems up to this point).

What is so funny is that when it comes to swimming, it is just the opposite. We bought a 4 month pass to swim in a pool at a local hotel. I guess we didn't think to check the 'normal' water temperature. They keep the pool anywhere from 77-79. Burrrr. Another gym in town keeps it at 75! My old school in America kept the pool at 85, kiddy pool at 87, and I always thought that was a bit cool. Not any longer. Here, they think anything above 80 is unhealthy (they also think non-speedo swimsuits are unsanitary...I haven't gone local there!).

To conclude, its becomes a funny/entertaining moment once a month when I go to pay my electric bill. Their eyes pop open and jaw drops to the floor. My bill has been around $120/month (including water) which is probably twice what the normal resident pays around here. Our American friends here in town have similar experiences. However, what is comical is that their electric bill (along with all of the other residents in their complex) is posted publically for all to see. As a result, each month they get a couple of good Samaritans (complete strangers) to stop by and inform them that there must be a mistake with their electric bill b/c it is enormously high. :) 'Thanks', they say...'thanks so much'.