Sizzling Vegas

June 22, 2017 Wednesday

I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to do what I came here for because of the excessive heat. I thought of leaving the very next day.
An American lady told me “it’s also hot in the Philippines right?” Yes. While it’s also hot in Manila, things are different. I don’t go out when it’s too hot so I don’t get migraine attacks. I don’t walk to the parking lot. I just don’t walk at all.

Here, I have to do some walking- to get to the Uber pick-up points and to cross buildings, and to find a restaurant.
I had migraine the first three days, both from the heat and the glare.

After I survived the first two days, I learned how to manage the heat better. I bring a wet face towel and a pack of ice and drinking water. I cool off my face, shoulder, neck, arms and even legs with the ice cold towel. And of course, the most important thing is I don’t stay outside for more than 2 minutes. I run to the door from the moment I get off the Uber car. I observe what the locals do to keep them safe from the excessive heat.

Mists in establishments

The tourists are still outside even if it’s hot. Less people watch the fountain show in mid-day and naturally, more come out in late afternoon till midnight.

I stood at the door where I could still feel the cold aircon coming from inside the hotel lobby.

I was afraid to walk away from the door but these tourists were not. I heard a white woman saying “I won’t be intimidated by the heat”.

The locals told me this is the hottest weather so far. If this kind of temperature increases every year, then I won’t be surprised if The Strip would end up having a fiberglass roofing, heat insulation and air-conditioning.

I met a young lady working at the Louis Vuitton store. I asked her what happens to her leather bags. I have an LV kasi I left in my cabinet in my bathroom one summer in Manila while I was in the US. When I came home, I saw the sides of the strap melted and got stuck on the glass shelf from too much heat.
She said the homes have settings in their air conditioning. Even if the occupants are away, the aircon unit is set to automatically run when the temperature inside the home reaches 80 – 85 degrees.