あつい

Today was a sign of things to come. That it will be hot. Very hot. And humid. And unpleasant for a winter guy like myself. Heard it all over, あついですね (atsui-des-ne), or 'hot isn't it?'. The phrasing does not really allow for disagreement.

Still, I haven't seen a lot of 'summer' clothes, most men wear long pants no matter the temperature, and long sleeves are still the norm. Women here are especially concerned with the sun and UV radiation. With heat and the rain overlapping, umbrellas double as parasols for many women. Also popular are long gloves that reach to the elbow and protect the delicate skin of the hands. On the gadget end are UV-indicating cellphone charms, also available in a digital version.

But I have air conditioning woooo!