You wake up to a chill in the air. You realize that last night you wrapped yourself in your blanket because of the cold. It is too cold for you to even bathe in the morning, even after your water has been boiled. People are wearing parkas (bubble jackets) others are battling the flu. This is in Africa!
It's called Harmattan and it is the equivalent to America's winter. The dusty winds come down from the Sahara and create a chill. Everything becomes dusty, so much so you have to wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Every morning I wake up with a runny nose and cough. I believe I am the sole American that thinks its cold enough to wear a sweatshirt (70 degrees in the states is chilly to me too). The weather will last like this until February when it becomes blazing hot- 104 degrees average. In June, it finally cools down with rain but it rains alot. Most people plant their crops at this time but there is no traveling because most roads are unpassable. In October, the rain ends and it is the mini hot season (about 95 degrees). There are four seasons here- familiar!
Most volunteers treasure Harmattan because it is so much cooler. I will just keep wrapping myself up and hope I don't get another cold.
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I went to Ghana during Spring Semester and caught the end of Harmattan. I remember having to dust like everyday and sneazing out all that clay colored dust. I sent a friend of mine a letter where I swiped my window sill with my finger and smeared a little Harmattan on the paper to share.
A little Harmattan smear, cute. I would be so un-original if I did that now.
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