So Begins the Rainy Season

How people think about the weather here in Cuenca is not how I grew up thinking about weather. Canadians LOVE to discuss all things climate related and it's the go to conversation if you run out of small talk.

Here the weather just, well...IS. If it's rainy, the people consider it to be "frio" (cold) and if it's sunny, then it's "calor" (hot). There seems to be no in between. It took me to years to learn the word "tibio" (tepid), as no one uses that concept here.

You can read the weather sites and posts about what the weather is like at a particular time of year here, but it's half-baked science at best (I think the weather stations are poorly placed, therefore not actually all that accurate) and pure conjecture at worst. I believe most travel sites will tell you that rainy season starts somewhere in late February/March and ends somewhere in there, too, sometimes extending to April. As far as I can tell, none of the websites actually agree.

Upside? You do get some stunning sunsets

Locals generally don't worry about it, it's just part of their daily existence that they'll need an umbrella, scarf, gloves and knitted/polar fleece cap (I'll explain that momentarily). Most wear several layers of clothes, even if the temperature is an intense 27C. (This feels more like in the 30s due to the thinner air and closer proximity to the sun.)

Love the clear, blue sky days, but they're unusual

It's only mid-January and it seems like the rainy season is upon us. I liken it to autumn or spring in Vancouver (with less temperature swings). We're now only on day 2 of cloudy overcast skies and relentless drizzle that switches to full blown tropical rain on a whim. Because of the rain, the locals will consider it cold. (They don't understand minus Celsius temperatures for the most part, they barely understand single digit temperatures. Last year the "cold snap", temperatures dropped to 12C in the day. Don't roll your eyes, people living up in the Northern states and Canada.)

Completely socked in days are unusual, too

So, I expect to see a lot of winter wear, as mentioned above, and worry about the cold. Most will ask why we aren't wearing a heavier jacket. (Sometimes in the day we, horrifyingly, don't wear a jacket at all!) We'll definitely get warnings about catching a cold or the flu. No matter that you tell them these come from germs and viruses, there is an underlying belief system that to be cold is to have a cold. 

The skies are most often like this, and cheers to it!

Let's hope that the rainy season is short and not too brisk. It's always a shame to have to pull out the little space heater or wear socks around the house. (I can hear your eyes rolling!)