(I wonder… if I will ever actually post this on a WEDNESDAY) 🙂
So it’s been unusually hot (from what I’ve been told by the locals) these last few months. Plus we’ve been getting the dry air and sand storms from the Sahara so it just seems like the air is stagnant. Now I’m no stranger to a hot environment: I’ve lived in Phoenix for about 5 years, grew up in the heat and humidity in St. Louis, and experienced the southern humidity in Alabama. But all these places have something in common that is lacking in Puerto Rico…
AIR CONDITIONING
Yep. I’d guesstimate that upwards of about 75% of the houses here (including ours) do not have air conditioning. We have a whole lot of windows instead! Word round the campfire is that 1. Electricity is crazy expensive here and 2. They don’t do central air but rather individual units that are mounted to a wall so you’d need one for every room and those aren’t cheap. Plus factor in the cost of electricity.
We knew this coming here but we (foolishly) thought ‘oh we’re in an island. There’ll be breezes and we’ll have the tropical wind blowing through our hair.’ Yea, right. While a majority of our windows do face the windward side and we do in fact get fabulous breezes, it’s still hot!
But it’s slowly getting bearable. At times. Now the kitchen, well that’s another matter. There’s only 4 windows and it’s closed off so there’s not really a flow of air. It gets a bit stifling in there. But does that hinder me from using the oven, doing long roasts, or whipping up big meals? Nope. Sacrifice, I say. At least that’s the story I’m sticking with.
We do, however, have lots of ceiling fans and ground fans. And of course we have a portable air conditioner in Gabi’s room (and my dad’s room for when she hangs out with him) and that really does keep us cool. I’m working on getting one for every room but the husband hasn’t gotten on board on yet. Lol.
So I wonder…what did people do before air conditioning was invented? Did they complain or was it just the way it is? I guess I’m just spoiled having that LUXURY for all of my life that I seriously miss it. When we stay in a hotel I’m in heaven because of the A/C! Do you think you could ever live day in and day out with it?
We’ve had a lot of trade-offs coming here and after completing our first year, they’ve all been worth!
Happy hump day (well Thursday now)!
Nice and chill in her own air conditioning.
Tagged: Gabriela, island life, living the dream, Puerto Rico
My kitchen musings! 
Too funny that I had been asking about the heat in the kitchen yesterday 🙂 Stay cool!
75% really? hm. All the houses I’ve been in had room units. My husband wouldn’t have moved here without A/C! haha (he works at home). It is hot here now. It was just as bad last year, and people said it was unusual then too. I think they’re playing us lol 🙂
Last year wasn’t so bad. But we got here in August- hottest month of the year. And Yep. Just roll down my subdivision, street, people’s houses I’ve been to, no AC. Everywhere we go, windows open. So yea, I’m thinking high amounts. Are these expats you go to or Puerto Ricans. I find ex pats look for AC. And maybe it’s different up in the northwest than it is in your neck of the woods. Regardless, it’s hot and AC is lacking. Cheers.