A Weather Watcher's -REPORT
From 35 years living in the Maritime Climate
to the Andean Sierras:
I think it's safe to say that most active people from maritime climates are avid weather watchers. We have to be to manipulate our outdoor pursuits around the- ever so often, less than perfect weather- for an active lifestyle.
Before moving to Quito from the Puget Sound area - we monitored the Ecuadorian weather regularly to 'brace ourselves' for what was to come. We'd been told to prepare for the 'rainy season' - for the 'eternal spring' of the Andean Sierra. Our response to the weather warnings?? BRING IT ON!! Who better to withstand the days on end of gloom and grey and drizzle than us? Or is it?
In the middle of October we began to notice subtle changes: it began raining - at night - how considerate!
Swallows were flitting about, insects began hatching, we began hearing a nightly chorus of frogs, the hillsides were becoming greener and people were out mowing for the first time since we arrived. It's FALL; time to plant!
Vegetable gardens abound; organic and not, on any level space. When one crop matures, it's dug under, and replanted in another section of the garden. Fresh vegetables and fruits continuously planted; continuously harvested. Fantastico!
Here in Gualpulo, our casita faces east. Lucky us! Here's the drill: The sun has actually moved - ever so slightly to the south. It rises around 6:07am, and if it's foggy or cloudy, the cloud cover burns off by 7:15 or so. The sun pours in through the large east-facing windows, heats up the tile floors and stone walls and provides so much heat that it's always necessary to open the casement windows. The sun is hottest from 9-1 pm at which time the clouds begin to gather. The inevitable thunderstorms are exciting & LOUD and one can practically set their watches by the afternoon cloudbursts: 2:45pm is about right. (just in time for my afternoon tennis class)
Did two Poulsbohemians come with umbrellas? Are you kidding? Hardly anyone uses umbrellas in the PNW - it's only a drizzle..... Not here. Five minutes in the afternoon cloudbursts and one is quite thoroughly DRENCHED. The many stairways- and I do mean many, (more on that later) become water features (think Harbor Steps) and there's no getting around the fact you are going to be totally soaked.
Is it cold at night at 9,500ft at the equator? Not to us. Most homes here don't have a heat source and neither do we. Stay tuned on that front.
I'm sure Quitenos are as puzzled by our attire as we are by theirs. Tennis walks to the bus at 6:50am every day and has yet to wear a coat. Dress shirt & tie; no mas. By comparison, Quitenos are bundled in long pants, dress shirt, sweater vest, jacket, scarves wrapped around their necks (male & female ALWAYS), and often a stocking cap. We sweat just looking at them. Wimps! Just kidding -
Marveling at the size of the blossoms and fruits of brugmansia sanguinea
foto: 27 de octubre en Papallacta
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