…are NOT any of the terms that I would use to describe the weather here in Montevideo, despite what many of the Uruguayos will tell you. Right now it is 21C/70F and the relative humidity is 48%—compare that to 81% in St. Petersburg, Florida or 83% in Panamá, or even 73% in Miami—and I think we’re doing fine.Having spent pretty most all of my previous life in the US on the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, I am as expert on humidity as I am inexpert on snow.
When I returned to Florida briefly after living in Montenegro I thought I had transmigrated to a “hot, humid, hell”. Even the brief dash—or in my case, quick roll—from air conditioned airport to air conditioned rental car was enough to soak me in perspiration. Then, when I turned the air conditioner on full blast to keep my internal organs from melting down, I got to enjoy the “refreshing sensation” of shivering like I was naked on an ice flow (shocking mental image) until I dried off. At that point, having been “home” for a total of less than 2 hours, I was already thinking about a vacation in Iceland…
I don’t think most Uruguayos understand how really good they have it weather wise—they think 75% is humid (as opposed to 95% in Florida or 99% in Washington in August). AND, they think 50F/10C is freezing: at which point they bring out their snow suits and parkas.
In reality, at least from a North American point of view the weather here, like almost everything else is MODERATE.
(Perhaps I should ask our friend from Siberia, who loves the internet here—cheap, fast, reliable, to write a weather rebuttal from his point of view and explain how stiflingly hot it is here…)
“I am as expert on humidity as I am inexpert on snow.”
As a Canadian, I’m the exact opposite.
However, I did come back recently from a 3 week vacation in Thailand recently and I can identify everything said about humidity. I went there with the idea of considering it as a potential expat spot. The heat & humidity over there is absolutely draining! That in itself is a big reason I don’t think I would like to make a permanent move over there. There are other complicating factors like a new crackdown on foreign visa holders. This plus the BS visa runs once per month add to my decision of not choosing Thailand.
I like what I read of Uruguay so far. I’ve read lots about other spots in Asia and South America. I am seriously considering Uruguay as my next vacation spot to scope things out. I have bought the Southron’s E-book recently. Half done reading it so far. Tons of good info. I really enjoy his sense of humor too. Quite self-deprecating at times.
From what I’ve learned so far, it looks like Uruguay has most of the things I’m looking for in a country. Good prices, great weather (compared to home), locals who don’t see you as a tool to take advantage of, nice and quiet, etc…
I look forward to learning even more about Uruguay in the next few months.
If (when) I go down, I hope to meet the Southron too!
Left by dsc on November 16th, 2006