Weathering the Storm with the WP#129

The topic is heat and have we got it here in Roma. I know it is everywhere and you would think I would have gotten used to it. I know it here and all-over southern Europe and this week, well, it got to me. It is not so much the heat as it is the humidity to boot and thankfully, there is air conditioning in this apartment to remove most of it. AC here in Europe, especially the box air conditioning is not powerful, and I expect when the bill comes, it will be costly, but the comfort is worth it in the short term. The short amount of time it is used, when I am here I my computer doing my work is relatively short. My computer likes it cooler and so do I. Also, have a fan going to keep what cool air moving, moving. ​

However, Rosa does not and so it is on very infrequently and usually when she is off guiding or at the library working. I suspect they have air conditioning there to keep books, art and artifacts safe from the effects of humidity, but I really don’t know. What I do know is that this week, while your average ordinary week setting up house and getting in a routine, she and I went out on the one day she did not do either, guiding or go to the library (actually she had to guide in the later afternoon, so we took advantage of the time), and went to some markets nearby to buy some produce and other good things. Unfortunately, it was the hottest day to date for this summer, and we did a lot of walking. In the end, the places we went were not so impressive and we ended up going to an old haunt, back in the neighborhood we lived in last year and found lots of good things. ​

Unfortunately, the heat got to me, and I was essentially laid out for 3 or 4 days, so did not eat much, drank lots of water, and slept. Not very productive and not really what I wanted, but I did what I had to do and finally, when I started to feel better, got out the other day, ran some errands, explored parts of the outlying areas of the city and, well, finally ate some “real” food. White rice, yogurt and a banana were my food, for a few days and really, this heat was not really conducive for eating. The good thing, a few kilos off and ending up going with Rosa and some of her friends to the Hard Rock last night as the last important part of her birthday week. Her choice of where to go. Originally, she wanted to have friends here, but it was better to do what we did this time around. Later this summer, I am sure we will have them over, at least that is the intent. ​

I did learn something very new this week and perhaps, when I was here last summer, it happened, but in Italy, if you invite a bunch of people over for an outing for dinner, drinks etc, for your birthday, the birthday person picks up the tab. I wanted to pay for the group last night, but Rosa gave me a resounding no and I had no choice. At least, from what I know, if you go out with friends in America for your birthday, they pick up the tab. It also is not uncommon for the birthday person to let the invitees know what he or she wants for a present and I guess in a way, that takes out the surprises. Each day I learn something new and my not feeling well, and oh yes, Rosa had/has a case of tonsillitis, to boot, it has been an interesting week and she did not want to take the antibiotics. I told her when I was very young, they took mine out and never had to deal with that or for that matter, strep throat. She was on antibiotics, but it did not seem to help, so we tried to help each other this week, the best we could. ​

I know I started this out about the heat and its effects, and we still have one week of July left. I really don’t really remember having this crazy heat last year and we lived on the 6th floor of an apartment and heat rises, right!!! The heat wave that is rolling across southern Europe and also around many other parts of the world, I hear Phoenix broke some records, will continue for sure and then it will subside eventually. When I am out, I see people with umbrellas and fans and water bottles, and really that is all you can do to try and stay cool when you are out there and the crowds here in Rome are not going anywhere, but I have also heard that the medical ranks in some cases are being stretched thin with many going to the hospital for heat related incidents. It is hot out there, and I know, so please be careful out there wherever you are. 
Next up August, and the Dog Days of Summer when maybe that things will slow down for a while as most Italians close shop for a least a week, sometimes more, for their own holidays. I know Rosa has some things planned and she will be out there with the crowds thronging to the Colosseum and the Vatican and points in between. Everyday is a new experience and each day is another bump in the road of life, and I will continue to get through each one of them. As always, stay safe, stay healthy and stay cool!!! Thank you as always for your support of my crazy little world and my small business. As always, I look forward to your comments, questions, concerns and continuing the discourse through whichever means you read my posts!!!