Last year, before I got a thermometer, I wondered if Daboya was hotter than Phoenix. Now, the data has been gathered and the verdict is in. The envelope please. And the winner is……….DABOYA!! With apologies to my long-suffering friends back in Phoenix, it's not even close. Since entering hot season here (March / April), which compares to summer in Phoenix, my thermometer (mostly in shade) registers 117 -119 routinely with "cool" days still hitting 107-108. We get 117+ in Phoenix but it is rare. Here it is almost daily. Granted, I've seen 122 in Phoenix and nothing over 119 in Daboya but that was once in 30 years and I've only been watching temps in Daboya for a few months. Plus, it's early in the hot season. I'm sure we'll see 120+.
Although I'm hoping to miss it. Mrs. Pearlman raised no fools so, after experiencing hot season last year, I set up a 3 week vacation to S. Africa this year from 3/16 – 4/7. If I'm lucky, rainy season will start early and I'll come back in time for the cool weather.
OK – so let's talk about the "cool" weather. The coldest time here is Dec / Jan (just like Phoenix) when the temp range is 65 – 105 compared to 30 – 75 in Phoenix. So – NO CONTEST – Daboya would win the "fry an egg on the sidewalk" contest….except we have no sidewalks here! In fact, we have no asphalt here. But at least we have eggs here!
Interestingly, it doesn't feel as hot here but I'm sure that's due to relative contrast. In Phoenix I would be writing this in an air conditioned building at maybe 75-85 degrees. Then I would go out into 105. In Daboya, I'm writing this in 119 degree heat and then I will go out into………119. Of course, inside feels more comfortable (I have learned that "comfort" is a relative term!) because of the shade – until nightfall when the radiant heat from the zinc roof makes it hotter inside than out. But the point is, if you're already hot, going out into the "heat" doesn't feel as bad as going from comfortably cool into the heat.
Well, as I've said for 30 years in Phoenix, I may not like heat but I HATE cold so I can't complain too much.
Something occurred to me this week and I thought I should mention it on the blog. The mail service in Ghana, although not terrible, is not necessarily dependable. Therefore, it is entirely possible that a letter you may have sent to me never made it to me or one I sent to you never made it to you. Rest assured, I reply to any letter I get within a week (I have really learned to appreciate letter writing here). It may take another week to get to a post office and then 2-3 weeks to get to you from when it is mailed. Factoring in 3-4 weeks for your letter to have gotten to me, and you should hear back from me within 2 months from when you mailed your letter. Soooooo…. If you sent me a letter more than 2 months ago, it either didn't make it to me or my reply didn't make it to you. Please feel free to write again and we'll hope for better luck.
'Til Next Time..........
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6 comments:
I'm enjoying keeping up with you on your blog, bro.
I sent you a letter early January and have not received a reply, so I'll re-send it, assuming it did not arrive.
Hope all is well.
Steve Brotherton
Have a good time in South Africa, Larry. Hope you make it to Cape Town, Jo'burg and Durban to see our mutual friends there.
Larry, I look forward to seeing you when you finish up there and return--I know, I'm thinking way ahead. But I have a great idea for a non-profit, very small scale to introduce with big results, and I think you may be interested. I'd much rather see it get done than wait for me to do it, as Megan has just started college so we'll be working for the next four years or so still. Plan on a cooling off visit to the mountains of Colorado after you return and get settled.
Dear Larry,
I think you're in Jo'burg by now. Have a WONDERFUL visit there and travels to Zimbabwe. The falls should cool you off!
All my best, and birthday greetings for 2009!
Ann Foorman
Hi Larry, Don't know if you read you comments or not, but we wanted to thank you so very much for your graciousness and hospitality while we were in Daboya. Your fruit salad luncheon is one we will never forget!
I'm sending a small gift to Box 30 Daboya-Tamale, N/R Ghana, West Africa. Hope that's the right address and that you will get it before you leave Africa!
Best, Dianne, Patrick's Auntie
This is specifically to Diane but I also want to thank Steve, Tom & Deb, Mary Shannon, and Ann. I just don't know how to reply to individuals! Guess I have to learn more about this blogging thing. I don't even know if you guys will get to read this unless you happen to come back to this entry. Somebody let me know how it works.
Diane - Certainly enjoyed having your whole group in Daboya and thank you so much for the eye care you provided for Daboyans. You do have my address correct and thank you for your gift in advance. I look forward to being surprised!!
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