It is unbearably hot at the moment. I know there are probably plenty of eyes being thrown up to heaven as you peer out at the unsightly Irish skies but really, I would give anything for a menacing grey sky right now. The chance of a refreshing downpour are non existent as we swelter in this Indian Summer. The hot monsoon began in April and continues until July which amounts to the entire duration of our stay.
Even in the night the temperatures still linger around the 38 degree mark making sleep extremely difficult. I have taken to jumping into the shower on an almost hourly basis, soaking myself and then lying in bed once more underneath the fan. It is pure icy bliss...for about 4 minutes until I'm bone dry and starting to sweat once again!
I guess one of the bonuses of travelling at this time is the lack of tourists. The tropical temperatures discourage the sane and in doing so provide quiet trips to the typically overrun tourist attractions. The guest houses are mostly empty too and so allow negotiation for a good room discount.
There is no magical solution to fight the heat so generally, we spend most of the day hiding inside and then go and stretch our legs at around 4pm, when it's a slightly safer temperature! This afternoon we went for a stroll up the bazar and keenly surveyed the quiet market place. We were one of the few people out walking around in the 42degree monsoon heatwave, most of the locals took shade in their workshops.
The bazar is a long road lined with interesting workshops and colourful vendors. Men tap away at iron cast pots, cut patterns for saris, weigh grain on ancient scales and fix mechanical parts. Ladies hang the washing from their vibrant windows and kids play at the side of the street. The market was a visionary overload!
The heat became too much and so we made our way back towards our guest house, stopping by one of the locals houses who had invited us to come for a drink earlier in the day. We spent time listening to him talking about his home here, met his family and spent time playing with his wonderful daughter Rodriga. She is three and an absolute motor mouth. She was ranting away to Luke in Hindi and Luke was talking back to her with a thick Irish accent. They discussed everything from the weather, to the economic downturn to the importance of Christmas.
I laughed a lot!
Even in the night the temperatures still linger around the 38 degree mark making sleep extremely difficult. I have taken to jumping into the shower on an almost hourly basis, soaking myself and then lying in bed once more underneath the fan. It is pure icy bliss...for about 4 minutes until I'm bone dry and starting to sweat once again!
I guess one of the bonuses of travelling at this time is the lack of tourists. The tropical temperatures discourage the sane and in doing so provide quiet trips to the typically overrun tourist attractions. The guest houses are mostly empty too and so allow negotiation for a good room discount.
There is no magical solution to fight the heat so generally, we spend most of the day hiding inside and then go and stretch our legs at around 4pm, when it's a slightly safer temperature! This afternoon we went for a stroll up the bazar and keenly surveyed the quiet market place. We were one of the few people out walking around in the 42degree monsoon heatwave, most of the locals took shade in their workshops.
The bazar is a long road lined with interesting workshops and colourful vendors. Men tap away at iron cast pots, cut patterns for saris, weigh grain on ancient scales and fix mechanical parts. Ladies hang the washing from their vibrant windows and kids play at the side of the street. The market was a visionary overload!
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| one of the many bright sweet shops |
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The heat became too much and so we made our way back towards our guest house, stopping by one of the locals houses who had invited us to come for a drink earlier in the day. We spent time listening to him talking about his home here, met his family and spent time playing with his wonderful daughter Rodriga. She is three and an absolute motor mouth. She was ranting away to Luke in Hindi and Luke was talking back to her with a thick Irish accent. They discussed everything from the weather, to the economic downturn to the importance of Christmas.
I laughed a lot!
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| beautiful Rodriga |
After finishing our chai, we went back to the guest house for yet another shower!....
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