In this season, two of my favourite machines are the air-conditioning units and ceiling fans!
The air-conditioners only work during the hours that we have generator power (5 hours and a half in the morning, 2 and a half hours in the afternoon and 4 hours in the evening). Outside of these times, we rely on batteries fitted into our houses to run the fans, lights and other low-power electrical appliances.
Unfortunately, we have had all kinds of drama recently, with our air-conditioners taking turns to stop working properly. This has meant some very HOT periods in our house and some rather sweaty nights! Our rooms do not get a chance to cool down in the daytime, ready to stay cooler overnight. The air-conditioning repair-men seem to be spending a lot of time at our house...!
To add to the excitement, our house batteries are getting old and sometimes grind to a halt when the generator switches off, meaning that our fans can't work because we have no electrical power. When the air is still and the heat is rising, it can feel like a sauna indoors! We are waiting for new house batteries- I will be very glad when they arrive!
In the evenings I see our South Sudanese neighbours moving their mosquito nets outdoors, where they sleep in this hot season. Grace also tells me that her house is so hot at night in these stuffy temperatures that she and her family all sleep outdoors. However, Grace is feeling very tired, as she explained to me that this arrangement is not great from a security viewpoint in Juba. She says that she sleeps with one eye looking over her shoulder all night, as she worries about thieves and armed attacks. A valid concern in this city.
One of the advantages of hot season is how fast my washing dries! By the time I have finished pegging the last items on the line, the first items are almost dry!
Underneath my washing-line and all around Juba, the ground has become hard and brown, baked by the African sun. Leaves shrivel up, burnt and brittle- they drift to the ground from the treetops, leaving a crunchy carpet on top of the dusty, thorny ground. I always slip on my flip-flops before stepping outdoors onto dry, spiky earth!
Thankfully, we have a local hotel about a 15 minute walk (children's pace) from our home. It opened in August and has a swimming pool, where I take the children most weeks to meet up with other families. This pool is a wonderful place to cool down! After the walk in Juba afternoon temperatures, which can get up to 40'C, we are very ready for a cool drink and a swim!
Yesterday, some clouds began to appear and we had an unexpected, very brief rain shower. Maybe rainy season is on its way! It is not due until April, but I think there are many of us in Juba who will welcome the rains whenever they decide to arrive!
It's hard for us here to imagine such heat as we are enjoying a cold, bright snap right now. I was wondering why BEN was wearing a blue band round his head and then realised it's his goggles? Poor Grace, I don't think I would be able to sleep much in her situation either. Do you have to be careful about getting sunburnt swimming iin an outdoor swimming in all that heat? Wouldn't mind a sunny dip myself right now. Love Nana
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