I'm finding it very difficult adjusting to the heat. Seeing as Sean and I just did three winters in a row from the U.S. to N.Z. and then back to the U.S., my body hasn't felt these temperatures in months. I guzzle water, am constantly sweating, break out in heat rashes and manage to get sunburned even while slathered with lotion. Today I gave up on the lotion and just wore a cape around my neck and shoulders which I'm sure looked really attractive and didn't make me stand out like a tourist at all.
Unlike China, which could also be quite steamy at times, my apartment in Bahia doesn't have air conditioning. In fact, we're lucky to even have fans! This means that it's almost impossible to find relief from the heat and extreme humidity anywhere - especially at home. Most places in town like stores and public buildings or buses don't have air either so it's not a matter of finding an escape, it's learning to deal with daily life with air as thick and hot as soup.
The only place to find respite from the oven of Ilhéus is the beach which is only a few minutes walk away. Ilhéus has many different beaches but Praia da Concha (Shell Beach) is one of the prettiest and the closest one to us. It involves walking a couple blocks and then a hike over a rocky hill to a small, secluded beach on the other side. Loni and I have gone there every day after work for the past few days. The water is cool and clean and there's lots of shade and a refreshing strong breeze. I can't get enough of it. I just wonder how some of the other Fulbrighters manage the even higher temperatures and humidity further north or deeper in the Amazon with no beach to escape to.
Today was the second time that we attempted to finalize our registration as foreigners at our local federal police. The first time we didn't have all of the documents that they wanted and so we had to return today. Today, unfortunately, we were informed that the police were on strike and were encouraged to try again tomorrow. I guess even the policemen here want their beach days too.
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