Frugal Expat

The weather today made me nostalgic of my home country, Philippines. I came out in the office at past five in the afternoon. As I stepped out from the main door, I was surprised that my cheeks were greeted by a gentle chilly breeze.

The weather here has been very pleasant lately as we approach the peak of winter season. Though oftentimes mock by people who are hailed from countries with real winter (means snow everywhere and a temperature of below freezing point), the month of November to March here in UAE is considered to be winter season too in which the temperature ranges between 13 to 29 degrees Celsius. It is indeed far better than the 35 degrees Celsius in August, the hottest period of the year. On worst summer days, the temperature can climb up to 40 degrees Celsius.

Perhaps now it is justifiable to call this as winter season even though the temperature is not below freezing point. If you have been here during the summer months, then you can definitely tell the big difference.

Anyway, back home I always like the chilly breeze after a heavy rain. As Philippines is a tropical country, we experience rain all throughout the year and every time the heavy rain is over, I go out to feel the cold gust of the wind. Then I take delight in watching my Mum’s small garden and the trees around me because they look so fresh and really happy (I know it’s weird!)

It was mid April when I came first in UAE. As summer was already approaching, I didn’t really enjoy going out because the weather was intolerable for a newcomer like me. Then I came to know later that it hardly rains in this part of the globe.

The heavy rain here is only tantamount to drizzle in my country. However, I noticed that the occurrence of rain is more frequent in the past few years especially when winter months are fast approaching or about to end.

Today I can’t help but feel very nostalgic because the light rain just finished when I came out from the main door. I could still see the damp garden in front and a sort of small ponds of water forming on the surface driveway.

As the taxi drove me home today, I opened the window and felt the gentle chilly breeze on my cheeks like I used to do back home.

P.S. I supposed to be writing now to cope up with my deadlines but can’t resist to blog the weather today.