Living on the Equator

When people hear that I live on the equator, they assume that it is HOT all the time. Not true. I live on a high plain at about 6,000 feet above sea level. Although I'm just two hours south of the equator, the weather never gets too hot or too cold. Our lows are probably in the 50's and highs in the 90's - perfect weather to thaw out the Alaskan in me. Lately, because of the rains, the weather has been quite cold. (Alaskans, make no comment.) Animals have died from hypothermia, not because it's below freezing, but because they're so weak from the drought that when the rains finally came, their weak bodies couldn't handle the cool air and water.

If you drive 20 minutes out of Nairobi to Limuru (where Will's house is and where my home will be in less than four months!), you rise 2,000 more feet and the weather is even cooler. I'm usually wearing wool socks and sweaters when I'm there at night - no central heating, just cement walls and doors that everyone always leaves open. On the street you'll see people bundled up in winter coats, stocking caps, and gloves. The temperature gets down in the 40's, and you can definitely feel the difference when you're coming from Nairobi. When I tell Kenyan friends that I'm moving to Limuru after I get married, their response is usually, "It's cold there!" I agree!

How does an Alaskan girl, who walked to the bus stop in 30 below with frozen eyelashes, think 40 degrees is cold?! Blood thins. It's all what you're used to I guess. And it makes me a little nervous to head to Alaska in December. Will I be like the weakened African animals and die of hypothermia? Probably not, but my family is sure to see me layered in the three sweaters I currently own. Looking for Christmas present ideas?... Sweaters are at the top of my list!