I’m noticing lately that my personal central heating system has definitely changed over the years that I’ve been here. Today it’s been around 24 degrees, but I still needed to keep my cardigan on top of my t-shirt whereas even some Italians had just a t-shirt on top. Isn't it supposed to be the other way round - me hot, them cold?
When I see tourists in shorts and t-shirts before July I wonder “Aren’t they chilly?” I never considered myself as someone who felt the cold before, it’s more just a consequence of being in a generally warmer climate for a long period I think.
I’ve been asked many times by Italians why English people go out at night when it’s nearly freezing with no coat on. My only explanation is that the alcohol warms them up but to be honest it’s a mystery even to me. Maybe they don’t have nice coats. Boh. I love to wrap up when it’s cold.
Benvenuti/welcome!
A few tales and insights about my daily life and adventures in Naples. Enjoy! ... All words and photos Copyright© 'Delinissima' 2007-2008
12 comments:
Mine has changed too!I really hate to be cold now, always have to be wrapped up.When I was in England last Easter I thought it was freezing and had a coat and scarf on, I was getting weird looks form everyone who were baring so much skin.
I have lived in South Florida for the past 7 years. I was in Tuscany and Molise for the week of Easter and froze my booty off. Now I am moving to Molise in July and hopefully I won't find it to be as hot as South Florida is...I hate South Florida heat.
Shirley, when I was back in England over a week ago it was warm, but I still put my coat on in the evening. Most people were in full summer mode.
G, I think it depends on where you are in Tuscany, but from what I remember during my summer visits, the summer climate is quite pleasant – warm and not too humid. In Naples it gets unbearable in the summer because of the humidity. A nice Tuscan hill town would be lovely!
Rebecca, it’s out of fear that the sun won’t last! They have to catch it whilst they can. I do think that the climate is getting warmer in England though. There are some weeks when I check the temperatures here and in England and I see that there isn’t a big difference. One thing that sticks in my mind about the English summers are the white, tattooed, beer-bellied men in the park. Or even worse, shirtless. Blee!
Delina,
The same thing has happened to me though I haven't really changed climates. Milan is a bit warmer than New York in the winter (though the lack of good indoor heating here actually makes it seem colder to me because I'm cold outdoors AND indoors) but I think I've bought in to the "prendere freddo" thing. Or maybe I subconsciously just don't want to stand out by dressing too differently. But I find myself wearing jeans all summer and bringing a jacket (or God forbid, a scarf) in the summer, which are things I would have never done at home. I was walking down the street on a SCORCHING day here a few weeks ago and realized I was the only woman in open-toe shoes. The whole day I was looking for another woman in open-toe shoes and didn't see one.
Michelle
Michelle, I too feel the cold more here during the winter because the houses aren’t heated to the extent that they are in England. I like the house to be warm inside, but not overheated.
I am not a meteorologist, but there is hardly any humidity where I live now. The lack of humidity makes everything more comfortable.The same temperatures that had me shivering in Italy make me want to break out the shorts here.
A friend and I were only talking about this yesterday! Here in Florence though it seems to be the reverse. The weather has really cooled down, well 24C, so she and I were in jeans. She said she noticed the Tuscans were keeping their t-shirts and shorts on rather than wrapping up! BTW it's also persisting down with thunder and lightening to match!
Living in Southern California has turned me into a wimp. I can't stand the cold now. I went to college in Upstate New York where 40 F degrees was considered warm.
Growing up on the East Coast I had to shovel snow, walk to school in snow and I would go ice-skating and ride my sled down the hills in the park.
Now I am freezing when the tempature drops below 60. :)
I'm sorry to hear that and you are still young wait another 20 or 30 years! In another week or so I'm sure you will be too warm.
It is werid how your body changes...I think my blood is thinning out after being in Florida for 6 months now....And to think I was freezing in Vermont with no electricity and heat in January right before we moved...
I spent most days playing little games with myself and guessing the weather and I cant ever believe it it says 24,25 or 26 on the pharmacy thermostats around here.
If I were in the UK I'd be off to work in flipflops and some floaty number I am sure and planning to have my lunch in the park!
My jeans haven't quite been packed away for the summer yet.
Hi there. I have a 2.5 year old daughter is she is definitely less wrapped up than her peers. Even when it is 20 degrees outside, her little friends are in winter jackets and she is in a sleeveless shirt. I think the Italians are trained to overdress from a very young age (infancy, really) and so their skin never really thickens enough to survive weather below 25 degrees without a sweater.
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