I’m currently in school, and the weather here has been quite a challenge. It’s actually an odd mix of hot and a bit cold at the same time, depending on the time of day. Since last month, the rain has completely stopped falling, and now, every afternoon, the sun is out in full force, making everything feel scorching hot. But as the night comes, the temperature drops a bit, and it sometimes gets pretty cold by midnight and very early in the morning the weather is always covered with fog. To be honest , this strange weather pattern has really affected my daily life and routines, especially with the recent project I’ve been working on.
Just recently, we had a school project where we planted African spinach. The lack of rain has made it incredibly challenging to keep up with the plants’ needs. Since the rain stopped, we’ve had to visit the farm regularly to water them, making sure they have enough moisture to grow properly. It’s been really stressful and time-consuming, to say the least. Watering plants might sound simple, but doing it in this hot weather, with the sun beating down on you, is a different story altogether. I didn’t expect it to be this exhausting, but I guess that’s just part of the experience.
To make matters worse, my school has been struggling with the high cost of keeping the electricity running. They’ve been complaining about the amount of money spent on maintaining constant power, which has led them to start rationing electricity. Now, we hardly even have power in the afternoons, which is when we need it the most to cool down from the intense heat after classes. Most afternoons, when I get back from class, the first thing I do is take off my top because it’s just unbearably hot inside. I make sure to open all the windows and doors in the room to get at least some fresh air circulating.
Thankfully, my hostel is surrounded by trees, which has been a lifesaver. Sometimes, when it’s too hot indoors, I’ll go outside to sit under the trees, where there’s a nice bit of shade. The trees provide a natural cooling effect, and just sitting there in the breeze feels refreshing. It’s one of the few ways I’ve found to escape the heat and get some relief, even if it’s just for a short while. I’m grateful for that small bit of nature around the hostel because it makes a big difference.
Another way I’ve been coping with the heat is by taking frequent showers. I’ve noticed that taking a quick bath really helps to cool down my head and body, making the heat more bearable. After showering, I’ve learned to avoid wearing tight or heavy clothes that would make me sweat easily. Instead, I go for loose, comfortable clothes that let my skin breathe and help me stay cool. Luckily, I’m not the sweaty type, so as long as I’m wearing the right kind of clothes, I can manage the heat a bit better.
All in all, I’m doing my best to adapt to this weather, but it’s definitely not enjoyable. I miss the days when it would rain and bring a bit of coolness to the air. For now, though, I’m just taking it one day at a time and figuring out ways to make this hot, dry season a little more manageable.