Moscow hasn't seen the likes of temperatures like these is over 130 years! July 2010 has just become the hottest month on record for the city, EVER! So how do we beat the heat? In short, we don't. The heat is currently winning the battle, but we'd like to share some of our tactics in living in the midst of it!
10. Orange juice popsicles! Just like when we were young, we fill our ice cube tray with orange juice, yogurt, or any other tasty liquid we can get our hands on and just hours later enjoy a moment of cool, sweet, frozen goodness. It's a great treat to help pass the long afternoon hours.
9. An ice bath! Filling the bath tub with cold water and taking a dip for as long as I can bear has become a new favorite past-time. Usually I set up my computer to play an episode of the Cosby show and I'll simply settle into the cool waters for a few peaceful minutes of brisk refreshment. I've found it best to actually not dry off afterwards - this prolongs the feeling of cool an extra hour, maybe hour and a half.
8. Wait for the Oscillating Fan to come your way. Those few seconds of cool air are bliss.
7. Research the USA's new climate weapon!
6. Embrace the night life! While typically Dan and I are fast asleep by 10 pm, we've recently discovered the rest of the city at that time just begins to come to life. Who knew? Staying up later, venturing to parks, walking around the neighborhood, going on a quick ice cream run, we've not only enjoyed cooler evening temperatures, but met a lot of fun people!
5. Hang laundry to dry! While in the winter laundry took 3-4 days to dry on our balcony, it seems like a mere 3-4 minutes with these warmer temperatures. If you can wash it, it's hanging on our balcony to dry right now.
4. Think wintery thoughts. Dan and I walk through a bit of a wind tunnel on our way to the metro simply because of where the buildings are positioned. We were walking that way the other day and remembering the scarves, the hats, the hoods we'd don just to pass through that area. Back then, it seemed near impossible that that particular location in Moscow could ever be warm. Reminiscing about the cold seemed to briefly help us feel slightly cooler.
3. Develop an intricate system of opening and closing windows and blinds at different times of the day depending on where the sun is located and what side of the apartment it's currently hitting and also just how much and how cool of a breeze might be blowing by that day. Sadly, I don't know if it makes that much of a difference, but it's nice to think so!
2. Bike rides in the forest! Just breaking away from the black asphalt streets, running engines, and hot exhaust can reduce the temperature by 5-10 degrees very quickly. The forest is a lovely place to be!
1. Find air conditioning! An extended trip to an air conditioned coffee shop, a shopping center on the other side of the city, or even blatantly self-serving visits to our only dear friends with a/c have become a little more frequent than normal: "Hi, Lori, do you need me to come read a book in your living room today for a few hours while the a/c's running? Maybe you could make cookies or something. I'm definitely willing to help you in that way if need be!"
It's hard to believe that at one point in time there were 5 feet of snow piled outside our apartment window. Ah, winter, come back soon. We miss you!
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