Whether it’s the compost bucket baking in the 7AM sunlight or the guy working out *intensely* at one of the outdoor gyms along the Rhône, everything and everyone is hot. And we’re reminded of this fact by the various smells.
France (maybe other parts of Europe too, haven’t checked, too focused on survival) is having it’s 3rd heatwave this month, which means highs over 90F and lows above 70F, more or less.
June 12-14th: highs in mid-90s. We escaped to Lac du Bourget. Not even the glacial lake was cold (refreshing, yes; cold, not even close.)
June 19th-25th: A week of highs between 90F and 100F. I couldn’t bring myself to cook, so we ate a lot of raw, pickled, and otherwise preserved things.
Yesterday, June 28th-July 3rd: more highs between 92F and 100F. Thunderstorms are alleged eventually—maybe Friday, maybe later, which will bring a moderation in temperatures. Something so distant I can’t even wrap my head around it.
Besides raw fish and salads, I’m living on caffeine and electrolyte tablets, because no one is sleeping? How is anyone sleeping in this. I’m shopping for ventless a/c units.
Thank God for a killer cross-breeze in the apartment.
I now completely understand why this whole continent just fucks off for the months of July and August. Which is what we’re about to do so we can 1) cool off, and 2) take naps on mountains and beaches.
Work priorities have been completely usurped by trying to keep the 11-year old, long-haired Malinois-Dutch Shepherd from overheating.
Like us, she gets regular cold showers these days, and if she wakes up hot she gets a morning cold shower, too.
Working out is interesting. Running has been short and temporarily moved to 7AM. Strength training is basically hot yoga with weights. I can’t even explain the levels of sweat. Yikes. Electrolyte tablets!
There is some level of dark comedy here because last year, we were all, “oh haha, the infamous summer heat in France, it’s hot but not so bad harharhar”, but last summer turned out to be the coolest and wettest summer France had had in like 80 years or something like that.
I’ve learned. We’ve learned.
To add to the slow but steady drip of a heat-induced daze, La Fête de la Musique was last weekend all across France, a nationwide musical party to celebrate the summer solstice. Cities, towns, bars, and restaurants host rock, cover, EDM and any other type of band throughout the day and night.
It was fun. It was hot. It was booze-filled. It was a giant summer party.
The video is the square right by the apartment around midnight. Even the kids were still out partying.
This month has felt a bit like a fever dream and this letter a whirlwind of words and pictures that may or may not capture the sweaty haze of this hot ass month.
We’re leaving in less than a week for the Dolomites and the cool mountain weather can’t come soon enough. I’m looking forward to all the outdoor activities, but I’m equally looking forward to 12 days of good, cool sleep in Cortina d’Ampezzo and Lake Garda.
TTYL XOXO
Interestingly enough, we actually had a spring here this year. But, the humidity has finally set in, so I feel ya. Except we do have A/C, so more comfortable than there still. Hoping the Dolomites (jealous) gives you the respite from the heat you desire.