As we entered the new year the temperature had fallen and we began to experience Hanoi's winter. Temperature wise it doesn't sound too bad. Like today, it was a high of 61 and a low of 51. In Illinois, that would be great at this time of year - but here we shiver. You ask, why? We use hot water bottles (that we can just plug in), blankets, sweatshirts, warm things for our feet - all this for inside. The reason is - our inside temperature in our bedroom has been around 56 F when we wake up and climbs to around 57 F.
We are thankful for a space heater and for being able to warm a room up with our two way air conditioners/heaters. We don't use them often, besides really increasing the electric bill, they really dry out the air. Exercise is also a good warmer upper.
We marvel at some of the young people we know who live further north, who have no indoor heating, unless they start a fire, with temperatures dropping into the low 40's. We see a lot fires on the street here in Hanoi when the temperature drops to the low 50's. There are many people whose work is outside, like Xe Om drivers (motorcycle taxi), who wait in the cold for their next passenger.
A little fun comparison
Winter
Our Home in Illinois Our home here
House w/ central heat - 68 F vs. Little heat 54 F - 61F
Car w/ heater vs. motorbike in all weather, including cold rain (no snow)
Warm clothes vs. warm clothes
Heated stores, restaurants vs. not heated stores, shops, cafes
Crazy winter traffic vs. Crazy car and motorbike traffic rain or shine
If there is a power outage
Frozen water pipes vs. Darker
Danger of freezing to death vs. More shivering, as body heat is the only source
Until the last line, our home in Illinois looked better. Stay warm and dry, enjoy the snow and be thankful for a warm house, warm car, warm clothes and if the power goes out - come visit us.
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