It was ridiculously cold today. What makes this weather so unbearable is the moisture in the air. It's like every piece of clothing you put on and take off is wet, and cold, so pretty much it feels like you're wearing an ice pack most of the time. And there is no central heating in this country- only heating/cooling machines in some rooms of a house, depending on what you can afford. So we have heaters in our bedrooms and den, but they are turned off when we leave the room/house. Oh and our walls, ceiling and floors are made of cement and tile. So it just traps the cold. Ugh! I'm beginning to rethink my desire to live in a cold city in America one day. This year here will either break me or make me ready for it. We'll see.

Another thing about the culture- people just head for the hills when it gets the slightest bit cold or the slightest bit hot. More so in the cold than the hot. I went walking to the store today around 3 pm- there was not a soul on the street. Our normally bustling street was empty. Life shuts down here in the winter, and apparently it only gets worse. And it's the same for my roommates and I- instead of going to the gym today, we worked out to a 1990 Paula Abdul dance workout in our den. And the winter is the rainy season for this part of the country- so it rains nearly every day. It just keeps getting worse....if you're reading this and you live in America- please go outside today and just stand there for a minimum of one minute and just be silent and be thankful for what you have. I'd appreciate that!