19 Tuesday Jul 2022
There are about 6-8 guys repaving the road next to Encarnación Market, l suppose all the way down to Plaza del Duque, as the existing stones have buckled and are uneven. Backbreaking work at any time but out in full sun when it’s 42°??? WTF? It’s been painful seeing them out there these past days. I waited until they were away on a lunch break to get a photo. After two street sweepers died from heat stroke in Madrid how can this be allowed?
18 Monday Jul 2022
15 Friday Jul 2022
So yeah, it’s been HOT. This past week most days it’s got up to about 45º at peak hours and only “cooling down” to about 27º overnight, and it looks to be staying that way for a while yet. It’s been amusing to watch my Twitter timeline and folks in London crying HEATWAVE at 32º (overnight 16º). When I point out what an actual heat wave is the inevitable response is that we are used to these temps and that our streets, etc are better equipped (narrow and shady) and that we all have AC down here. Which of course is the opinion of people who have only stayed in the touristic centre here at hotels or AirBnBs. But if you step outside the old town, even five minutes away, suddenly the streets are wider, no shade anywhere. The reality of living here is quite different.
12 Tuesday Jul 2022
13 Monday Jun 2022
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Ever since electricity rates skyrocketed during and after the first LOCKDOWN, and even more so recently, we have been living under these varied times that show us when it’s cheapest to use our appliances. Which isn’t too difficult, though I have to admit I haven’t seen much of a saving from putting my laundry on at 5 am. And now that the AC is crucial… well, I do try to hold out until 2 pm when the cheaper rate kicks in for the afternoon, but then up it goes again during the evening, which is when you really need it. I’ve decided… fuck it. As (too many) people are so fond of saying these days… it is what it is. I don’t recall every living in a place that had these different “per hour” rates, but maybe it’s like that everywhere and I just didn’t realise? All I know is that my electricity bills have doubled since 2020.
