Hot, hot, HOT

Mavelikara is heavy with heat. I’m (unreliably) informed by the Footprints guide to India that temperatures in Kerala remain at a steady 32 degrees. The Footprints guide lies… Temperatures are currently hovering around the high 30s, and the humidity is just this side of bearable.

Stepping out of the front door to go to work, I’m wet through by the time I reach school or college. In a land of gurus, own personal favourite right now is Ford Prefect and his advice on the importance of keeping your towel with you at all times. I’m planning to bequeath my own collection of small towels for the next grateful occupant of the steam bath I call home.

Evenings are the worst. The apartment furnishings absorb the sun’s heat throughout the day and, by bed time, my beloved pink mattress feels like it’s wearing by an electric blanket. Whatever small breeze there has been during the day disappears entirely by sunset, leaving the fans to push sluggish hot air around the room.

Even the locals are complaining about the heat. They’re all wilting in the humidity and I’ve even seen a few brows being mopped (my own has a towel attached to it pretty well permanently – I’ll probably come back with pink and white stripes across my face…) Apparently I’m living through the hottest spring they’ve had in years, so that’s nice.