Tropical Heat (hm)

Bangkok is hot, really hot, 30 Celsius degrees hot. And it is winter to boot too. In the “real” summer the mercury climbs to 40 hellish degrees Celsius. The relativeness of just how hot it really is must depend on how close to the equator one was raised.

Before all of my western PA friends, family and colleagues start to turn green, let’s discuss how this “latitude attitude” translates to the human body. This girl was born and raised, and sill currently resides at about 42 degrees north latitude. This is a land of the temperate deciduous forest, a climate with four distinct seasons. Those who dwell in this spot on earth know that the human body can withstand an astonishing range of temperatures. From negative wind chill temperatures to highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity that curls your hair.

It is this high end of the mercury that we are currently battling in Thailand. The mission to stay hydrated has achieved even footing with our quest for exotic plants.

The locals know that it is winter, so despite the tropical heat, winter fashions prevail. Blue-jeans, light sweaters and corduroy jackets make up the uniform of choice amongst college students and young adults. Business wear is very popular, with black and navy suits at the top. The Thai are so elegant and neatly coiffed that there is never a hair out of place or a forehead beaded with perspiration.

What helps in this heat, much to my delight, is a plethora of salt and sugar. The freshest stir-fry is finished with a handful of sugar. Fruit juice and sodas are salted. This initially caused concern because my “healthy” diet at home eschews both ingredients as unhealthy when used in quantity. Happily for my taste-buds, salt and sugar, when taken with liquid, are essential to keeping a body hydrated in the tropical climate.

My educated guess as to how this culture functions so efficiently despite the heat is an endowment with an internal air conditioning mechanism. Mai pen rai is the term for this internal device that allows for unfailing friendliness, smiles and helpfulness in this beautiful and hot land.