Cool!

There has been a bit of a drought. In blog writing that is, sorry. It's
been dry here too, although I don't think it is a drought? So I thought
I would do my bit anyway.

So the fabled 'cool period' has started in Mtwara. And it really is
cool. Having arrived in the 'hot period', which then got hotter, we
desparately tried to find ways to keep ourselves functioning through
A/C, fans (when the power was working), minimal clothing (when the power
wasn't working, and even when it was - it's amazing how many objects one
can stick to oneself in such heat, but you need the light on to see what
you are doing), Azam ice cream and swimming/diving in the sea. We may
have mentioned how hot we found it previously? I didn't think that was
ever going to change. This morning, my cleaner lady (I'm not posh, I'm
contributing to the local economy before anyone comments) arrived at the
house at 7.00, after a 45 min-1 hr walk from her house and was still
wearing 2 jumpers. Even I, a big soft mzungu who feels warm at 21
degrees usually, have slept without the A/C or fan and with a sheet over
me, and have worn slong sleeves to keep off the evening chill, not just
for mozzie protection. I am still hoping to go diving though!

I say cool, but in the car today at 5pm the thermometer said 27 degrees.
So maybe it's just we get a break from the heat over night? Maybe it's a
drop in humidity? Who knows. Whatever it is, it feels more comfortable
and I am making the most of it. (Dad - you have chosen the best time to
visit weather wise!)

The down side of the 'cool' period is the lack of water that is
associated with it. When I left Mtwara 6 weeks ago there was grass and
geckos and not too much dust. Now the opposite is true, it's really
quite arid. Fortunately the cool weather will help me to do my bit to
reduce water use as I don't feel the need to shower as often. Even
though I don't think excessive domestic consumption is the reason why
the landscape is dry, knowing that the majority of people in this region
have to collect their daily water from a well and carry it home combined
with the sudden change in the landscape means I am more aware of my
water usage now than ever before.