Kumakhaza (IT IS COLD!)

As you may have gathered from my previous complaint ridden posts, South Africa really only has two temperatures: ‘boiling’ and ‘I can’t feel my toes’. No, these temperatures are not equal to or more extreme than many states in the US or countries around the world, but they are exacerbated by my lack of ability to mitigate the conditions: i.e. air conditioning or central heating. My hut has a thatch roof which is wonderful in the summer because it keeps the majority of the heat out (most people live with tin roofs which effectively turns the house into a convection oven for the majority of the summer), but the massive gaps between the door/windows and the walls allow the brutal air to creep through during winter. I imagine that what I feel after the sun goes down in May/June/July is comparable to that of the long days and nights that Rose and Jack spent waiting for a rescue boat. Temperatures reach below freezing in my area, and only this year did I really take the necessary measures to keep myself feeling as though I was not actually completely submerged in an icy ocean in the middle of the night. Yes, I am being dramatic. Recently I bought a heater, which is pointed directly at my face and approximately 1 foot from it. Last week, I bought an electric blanket which has changed my life and made getting up for work especially difficult. My typical night outfit consists of: long underwear top and bottoms, sweat pants, sweatshirt, two pairs of socks, ugg moccasins, and if things are really getting crazy I will also wear a hat and gloves. Sometimes I turn my oven on and just sit in front of it if the heater isn’t doing it for me. Ironically enough, I actually love the winter here, and have been experimenting with different soups and delicious teas. And as much as I’m complaining now, I absolutely do not want summer to come one day earlier than it absolutely has to. So as you sit on the beach drinking your frappacinno this summer, please make sure to send me some warm vibes and maybe some mental hot chocolate.