heat warnings

today was my last full day on this trip... on this leg of the journey... it has been a really valuable trip... the last few days it has been SO HOT that the city government has water stations set up... when you come to a major crossroads between a tram or subway or where people change busses or whatever, there are people there handing out water... back home (in air conditioned land) when a heat alert goes out, people are asking for fans for the elderly who don't have air conditioning... the electric companies talk about how they have hit a new high for electric usage... here, many, but not most people do not have air conditioning... they are careful... they take steps to keep their home as cool as possible, but they are generally fine... why is it so different?? Yeah, there is WAY MORE humidity on the east coast but, we only feel it from the house to the car or from the car to the store or whatever... its all about perspective... tomorrow it is going to be 107 in Budapest... but by the time it crosses the century mark for the fifth time this week, I'll be flying home... all you Budapestians, be careful out there, walk a little slower on the shady side of the street and drink plenty of that free water that's being handed out... Peace and thanks to all my friends in the six countries I visited this summer!