"Hell-hot" in Merida

Here it is only mid-May and I’ve already had my fill of temperatures in excess of 100 degrees fahrenheit. I’ve lived here for 14 years, but for some reason, have never gotten acclimated to the Yucatecan heat. And, I moved here from Florida! You’d think it wouldn’t be so bad to get accustomed to it, but I just have not. It seems each new summer is hotter than the one before.

I do manage though. I plan all “outdoor” activities in the early morning before the sun is full or early evening after the never-ending ball of fire starts to gradually fade away. The hottest hours of the day seem to be from noon until around 3 or 4. Normally, I try to be indoors, preferably at home, but on occasion I do venture out to shop. If I do go out in the hell-hot heat, I make sure to use the air conditioner in my car and I only go to air conditioned stores. No exceptions! If I’m home, rest assured that I have my air conditioners and fans on to keep cool. I also do siestas - a great Mexican tradition!

I try real hard to keep myself well hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids. I can’t always do the multiple glasses of water thing, but I do drink other beverages, some carbonated, most are not. And here’s a word about a nice cold, refreshing, delicious, wonderful, can’t live without it, beer. Beer is a diuretic! Yes, it will make you urinate more and perspire more, and you will loose as much liquid as you have taken in and then some. Not a good choice, but hey – I’m not perfect!! And, I’ve never seen a death certificate that says “died from drinking a beer”.

If you have to be in the sun, be sure to use a good sun screen to block those sun's rays and prevent skin cancers, especially melanomas. Force yourself to drink copious amounts of liquids, even if you don’t feel thirsty, to avoid getting dehydrated. Melanoma and/or dehydration can kill you while sun screen and liquids could save your life.

If it sounds a bit like I am preaching (even if to the choir), that would be because I am.

Amen!