As for the weather, today in Hanoi it reached a high of 94 degrees (tomorrow will be 91 degrees). Yes, you read that right and no Hanoi isn't South of the Equator where it is currently summer. It is still "winter" here in theory. I love seeing people all bundled up on their scooters zooming around town. On the ride to a meeting in the middle of the day today I felt like yelling out the car window "It is 94 degrees! What are you doing in a winter parka???"
This winter has been incredibly warm here as contrasted to last year's cold winter. (I know if it never snows here it can't get too cold right?) Well, we are in Northern Vietnam and it isn't the tropics. In fact, on a recent work trip to the Chinese border I was informed by some government officials that in one province alone 13,000 water buffalos died last year due to the cold. Those poor water buffalos just couldn't adjust to the cold weather and keep themselves warm. Luckily, that was last year and not this year, since we are now celebrating the year of the water buffalo. Talk about a potential for some serious bad karma.
For the record, we love water buffalos! They are so mellow and extraordinary (they aren't as cool as elephants but definitely "splendid" - to use a British-ism). They were also the only thing that kept us from going unhinged on our tragically long bus rides in Laos. Xander loved spotting the "buffwos" as he called them and it helped pass the time.
2 comments:
The Vietnamese wearing parkas in 94-degree weather kills me. I remember in the summer I would be sweating in shorts and a T, while all the Viets would have jeans and long sleeves, even jackets on and not even break a sweat. How can this be? Eric read something about it's a dry inner ear thing. Apparently us sweaty folks have wet inner ears. So you can stand in line with me when that surgery comes available! See you then.
That is soo funny that they named it after Obama! heheh Is the buffalo in the picture moving his head or does he have two noses? See you soon!
Post a Comment