Stifling!

Today I had a flashback of Egypt while sitting on the metro.

Let me explain.

We went in the pyramid that's behind us in the picture. I was so excited. Seriously. I remember my sixth grade history teacher, Ms. Williams, tell us about going into the pyramids and I had wanted to go ever since. There's not a whole lot of room in the tunnel leading into the great chamber in the middle and you're walking hunched over and people are walking in the opposite direction directly next to you. There are dips and rises as you make your way to the chamber. And worst of all, it's hot. Stiflingly hot. So hot and humid in there that the walls are wet and sticky from the condensation of sweat. The hand rails are sticky and left our hands smelling like vinegar from touching them to keep balance. I thought the great chamber would provide some relief from the nastiness experienced from the tunnel, it didn't. Despite being in a dark space out of direct sunlight, it was worse. I wanted to explore the room, climb down into the area where the sarcophagus once rested but was disgusted when I felt the walls and they were wet. The walls were wet from the sweat of people. Ew. I was dripping sweat down my back, my arms were getting sweaty, my face and head were pouring sweat down my neck. And after taking in as much as I could, I booked it back outside, into the direct noon sunlight, the 100 degree weather and felt immense and immediate relief. I had never been so glad to be in 100 degree heat in my life. And that was the one and only time.

Today was a close second. I waited for the metro to come after work. It was pretty hot and it had been all day. I had cut lunch short that afternoon because it was just somewhat miserable even in the shade. So, I waited for the metro on the un-air-conditioned platform for the train to come. I was anxious for the train to come because my shirt would show sweat when wet and I didn't want it to show. So, when I stepped onto the train and realized immediately that I had walked into a sauna I was really disappointed. My face must have reflected the pain my lungs were feeling as they breathed in the stale hot air because someone said jokingly, "Welcome to Hell." I sat in an empty seat and was soon feeling nauseous thanks to the horrendous heat I couldn't wait to get off. In fact, I was practically willing the driver to go faster, and silently praying that there would be no delays.

I thought of Egypt and coming out of that pyramid and knew I would be just as happy getting off that train.

I think I'm going to start having to pray for air conditioned metro cars to come my way. That's not too much to ask is it?