I’ve been here for 12 days, but it feels like a month already. I miss Russia, and I miss the mild weather. You can always put more clothes on if it gets cold, but once you are naked, you can’t get any cooler.

I’ve got air conditioning in my apartment, living would be unbearable without it. Everyone here has air in their homes, cars, buses, hallways, everywhere. One of my fellow teachers told me that it isn’t unusual for a Kuwaiti to leave their car running while they go shopping for 2 hours to keep the car cool. This is only possible because gas costs less than 70 cents a gallon, and pay here is sky high.

This week will see an average of 50 degrees Celsius (122 fahrenheit) during the day. Next month, I’m told I might see my first 60 degree (140F!!!) day! How can I describe the feeling? Have you ever stuck your face or hand into a 400 degree oven? it isn’t sweaty heat, and it blows the heat at you. Walking around outside is like having your whole body sitting on the open door of the oven. You aren’t cooking, but you know the fires of hades are nearby.

Even school buses have been outfitted with AC.