Montezeuma's Revenge

While it's true that Belize is filled with spectacular vegetation, wildlife, and natural and archaeological wonders, it also shares some unfortunate characteristics with Hell. Namely, it's unbelievably hot - really really really hot - so hot that eating seems unnatural and disgusting - and there are bajillions of different species of insects that want to feast on your blood. Throw in some moaning of the damned and the two are virtually indistinguishable.

In catching up on my blog-reading, and in attempting to take the dogs outside, I've noticed that most of America is experiencing a massive heat wave. However, instead of cranking up the a.c., imagine yourself, say, hiking a mile up a hill to ruins, or hiking down the beach, beams glaring off of the beautiful white sand. Imagine being so soaked in sweat that your shirt won't even mop anything else up. Imagine that instead of the technological wonder of the (fuel-burning) a.c. (runaway greenhouse effect, anyone?), you rely on the technological wonder of the 15-year-old squeaky fan, or, in certain situations, the sea breeze coming through the door that also kind of smells like the trash baking on the beach. Oh, and also imagine that most of the time you're wearing long sleeves and pants to try to fend off the various things that want to eat you.