Hot Hot Heat

France has many third-world country elements, at least by my demanding American standards. Most Parisians don’t have wireless internet or air conditioning. You can argue that both things are unnecessary luxuries, but they’re hard to live without.

Unlike Tucson, Paris is humid, so the heat is much harder to handle over here. I loved the 110 degree Arizona weather simply because the dryness makes everything easier to endure. I constantly feel sweaty and disgusting in Paris humidity. There’s no point in showering at the beginning of the day, or even at night. I woke this morning on top of my covers. I don’t even remember getting out of them in the first place, but it’s so hot that I probably just switched positions in my sleep.

My allergies are getting better, but for a while, I was waking up with a clogged throat, and I couldn’t breathe at all. My friends urged me to get some allergy medicine, which changed my Paris experience. Thank God I caved in.

I dread the Metro in this heat, especially in the morning. It’s not air conditioned, and there are constantly tons of people bunched up together. You’re standing as close to the door as possible so you can actually get out at your next stop. If you sit down somewhere, you risk not being able to shove past all the tired, sweaty people in time to leap out the door.

I don’t remember the DC metro being this unbearable, but the DC metro is also much more efficient. Food and drink aren’t allowed, and there are fewer lines to take. Oh, and it’s air conditioned. DC and Paris have humid summers, but DC actually have the decency to accommodate metro passengers.

As always, however, the Paris metro is much cheaper than the DC metro.

My sister warned me about Italy, which is even hotter right now. I’m going to have to prepare for a more intense heat, but at least I’ll do it without the stress of classes and homework.