"Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall; All you have to do is call, and I'll be there..." Remember those words? It was a catchy tune. The four seasons--how does one explain them? They signal a time of change. Some people love the seasons to change with all of nature's colors and the temperature variations. Some people (me!) hated them passionately. Freezing to death in Kansas winters was never my idea of a fun and exciting time. I would love to explain the seasons here in the heartland of Mexico but, frankly, I am not sure if we even have seasons. I've been here for almost two years now and am still waiting for something resembling seasons to show its face. I am at a loss. In all the guidebooks about Mexico, you will find the central part of Mexico, the heartland, called the Land of Eternal Springtime. And, to be honest with you, that's exactly what it is here--Eternal Springtime. According to the "books", the average daytime temperature from September to January is in the mid- to high-70's. I am not making this up! We run around in shorts and short-sleeved shirts until sometime in January. From February to August, it is in the low- to high-80's. The nighttime lows are like this: from September to November, it is in the mid- to high-50's. From December to February, it is in the mid-40's. From March to August, it is in the mid- to high-50's. We sleep with our windows open until the middle of January. So, where are the seasons? Some would argue the mid-40's as winter temperatures. Maybe if you hail from Florida, those temperatures would seem a little frosty. While living in Kansas, we did not even put on our winter coats when it got into the 40's--that was sweater weather. But, let's say, for the sake of argument, the daily nighttime temperatures of the mid-40's is some evidence of a "winter onset" here in the heartland of Mexico. Therefore, each December to February when those temperatures occur, we will call the "winter months". Here is the confusing part: Look back at the daily daytime temperatures for the so-called winter months. From December to February, the daytime temperatures are from the mid-70's to the 80's! If nighttime has winter-like temperatures, then where does winter go during the daytime? And, just where do the springtime temperatures go at night? Do they have a mutual arrangement? Does winter sleep by day? Does springtime take a powder when night falls? Here is the serious truth about all of this. In reality, we have just two seasons--the dry season and the wet season. The wet or rainy season comes at the end of May and lasts until sometime in September. The temperatures are so stable, year-round, that I can't imagine living anywhere else. It is warm by day and can get a little nippy at night during January but nothing a light jacket or heavy sweater can't handle. After living in Kansas winters all my life, this is like heaven! "Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall; All you have to do is call, and I'll be there..." I called and Mexico was there for me! |
