'Arizona' the word that is being often associated with me recently, since I got an admission offer from Arizona State University (ASU) for Masters in Computer Science. Initially, when it was the time to decide about which university to go to, I was not much enthusiastic about going to ASU, and the reason was 'burning heat' that comes quickly to the mind when one hears 'Arizona'. Being born and brought up in hot and humid Mumbai, I have always been fascinated by the feeling of living in cold, pleasant climate. But my wish didn't come true this time, as I decided to sacrifice my wish for living in cold region for the fact that ASU is a very good university for Computer Science. Even after receiving admission offers from 7 other universities, all of which belonged to colder, snowy parts of US, I finally landed up going to Arizona and it turned out to be an interesting experience for me.
Now, it has been nearly an year since I arrived in Arizona. In United States, Arizona is known for one of the most miraculous world wonders 'The Great Grand Canyon'. However, apart from that, there is an inherent heat hidden in the world 'Arizona' itself which identifies it all over the world as a dry and hot region with a desert environment all around and roadside cactus outgrowths.
As I said before, tourists and visitors know Arizona as 'The Grand Canyon State'. However, Grand Canyon is a much cooler, pleasant and at times even freezing region throughout the year. Grand Canyon and Flag Staff snow bowl perhaps are the only anomalies when its comes to climatic conditions in Arizona. Hence, referring to Arizona as 'The Grand Canyon State' can be a little misleading when we talk about the climate. These places do not really represent Arizona as a state when it comes to the typical weather conditions. Also, living in Arizona in Winter and Spring is quite pleasant, enjoyable and its like batting against the easy part-time bowlers in the game of cricket, the easiest and a comfortable period in the game.
However, 'Summer in Arizona' is the real test, it is something special. The word 'Summer' carries a well-understood threatening effect in Arizona, which is good enough to warn a person like me who is kind off a winter lover and a summer hater. In most of the other states in United States like Illinois, New York and many others, people are eagerly waiting for summer to begin, as it brings some pleasant sunny days for them to enjoy their vacations. However, with Arizona and Texas to a certain extent 'Summer' is not really that pleasant term. With the past archive of highest recorded temperatures of around 120-127 °F (over 50 ° C), every region in Arizona makes sure to bake you, roast you or may even grill you well, even when you attempt a 10 minute walk. Hahah!!! Now thats the real Arizona, there lies the real heat punch, the cruelty.
You may argue, saying that I don't really deserve to complain about the heat, as I belong to Mumbai, India, one of the moderate to hot regions in the world. But believe me, the heat in Arizona is not a trivial thing, its something different. It signifies extreme dryness, low humidity, dehydration, sun strokes and so on. May be I would not have felt it so badly if, I would have lived in regions like Nagpur, Rajasthan in India. These regions in India probably have the potential to match the Arizonian heat. Just 2-3 days back, while I was checking weather conditions at my place in Arizona on web sites, I was amazed to notice the humidity at Tempe, Ariozna as 1% and temperature 119 ° F (48.33 ° C). At the same moment, the humidity at my residence at Mumbai was 94%. Thats the difference. Arizonian heat is full of hot, dry winds that fill your body with unwanted hot air supply, via your nostrils, eyes, ears etc. Thats what converts sunscreen, sunglasses, caps, hats and water bottles from accessories to necessities. These things really fall under the category of 'life protecting tools'.
Well, if I try comparing extreme hot conditions with extreme cold, freezing conditions, I personally feel that tackling with extreme coldness is anytime easier or at least more enjoyable than fighting against heat. Rationally thinking, a basic reason is, to protect from cold one can wear as many layers of clothes as he/she wants, one over the other. However the reverse of this multi-layered remedy does not quite apply to dealing with the extreme hot climate, as there is a definite limit on stripping off your own clothes and any desperate attempts to do so may in deed harm your social reputation for sure :). Then too, people in Arizona try to their best to apply this "strip-off strategy" to deal with the heat. That is why, one can always find several semi-nude beautiful bodies getting tanned, wandering freely on blistering AZ streets and sports complexes and even trying to enjoy heat. Ya, sometimes I wonder "Do they really manage to enjoy this burning touch?" .Well, god knows whether they do or do not. But, one thing I can say for sure is that, the pleasing sights of these beautiful tanned figures are enjoyed by most of the male Arizonians including teenagers, college boys, graduate students, professionals and even some ambitious old men. I must accept that, these pleasing occurrences of semi-nude figures on city streets in Arizona contribute to one of the few secret advantages that 'Summer in Arizona' offers to the state men.
Again, coming back to the comparison between extreme coldness and heat; I agree, extreme coldness is also annoying at times. I have friends in New York who always keep me telling their problems regarding being unable to wake up in the morning due to excess coldness in climate. However, I observe an underlying pleasant fact at the root of this problem. The cause of the problem is the fact that, one enjoys sleeping in cold weather with warm heater on so much, that it becomes difficult to wake up early. Yes, but to a certain extent I agree that it is not that easy to stick to your daily routine and schedule in freezing conditions. It involves several skill-full tasks like walking on a hard dried snow flooring and still managing to rush for a bus without slipping or skidding.
However, in spite of these parallel problems in snowy climatic regions, I personally feel that most of the human bodies are designed to get pleased by coolness and irritated by dry heat. As opposed to this, I have also came across people who even enjoy this kind of extreme heat, but then its rare to find such true worshipers of Sun.
Now, moving to the humorous perspective, Arizona heat has served for ages as a hot topic for jokes and quotes resulted from exaggerated analogies and examples. Recently I came across few such, that I found really good. One of the website says, "Cows are giving evaporated milk in Arizona",while a funny phone conversation goes like "Is it hot enough in Phoenix to fry an egg on the sidewalk?". Well, thats how we often make fun of Arizona heat while seating in Air Conditioned, temperature controlled rooms. But don't forget, this heat is mighty enough to take its revenge by catching you alone without a source of water close by, on a street with no big buildings and trees tall enough to produce shadows. That time it makes you laugh at yourself.
Changing the topic a little, when I move to people's remarks about the summer at Arizona I observe a definite variation. For working people, who spend most of their hours in Air Conditioned cars, offices and houses, sometimes AZ heat is not that harsh entity. But for street workers, University students, road side joggers and bicycle enthusiasts, its the weather, that decides the schedule. Although, all the houses have Air Conditioning units, when it comes to going out, everyone first moves to the balcony to judge the intensity of heat at that moment.
When I imagine, I find, life in Arizona must have been a real struggle of survival when there were no Air Conditions invented. Although, 'fans' must have been invented long back, AZ heat is too intense to be waved away by any 'fan'. Adversely, a fan can annoy you even more by adding to the flow of hot air on your face. Thats why I really want to say my 'Hearty Salam' to those who survived in ancient Arizona. It must be the true love and pride for their own Grand Canyon State, that provided them with the courage to fight their age old war with the burning heat.
After thinking so much, I was bound to generate some exaggerated thoughts about the Arizona heat. I managed to arrange those in a simple poem, which goes as follows.
Summer in Arizona, gets us 25% gratis extra heat
Every weather report is a high scoring paper sheet
Humidity percentage struggles to reach even ten
Dry exhaust makes one cry every now and then
Every child here enjoys a fire fighting bash,
Every bird is a fire-bird rising from the ash
Every rainfall in Arizona is a Boiling rain
Every train that runs is a burning train
Each drop of water is the tonic of life
Switching off a cooling machine is 'the most' brutal crime
Every AC unit is a life shielding power
Each sprinkle and drizzle is a heavenly shower
Every water fountain fights its battle for existence
And every skin color strives for its self-persistence
Every sunscreen packet has an ensured purchase here
Every pair of sunglasses finds some eyes for sure
Every clothe is removed to cut the body heat
Dried tanned bodies walk down the street
Every individual still makes it, and survives this battle
Every Arizonian finally deserves a glass full of water
Every liquid in Arizona is eventually to boil
Thats how the Sun rules the Arizonian soil
-Ashutosh Sabnis
