Frio in Rio

When our plane landed in Phoenix on June 30, 2012 at 6pm, the air temperature registered an unbelievable 86 degrees.  Where was the 106, 110, the 116 degrees that we had longed for?
We had been looking forward to opening up and inviting the sun to warm us, really warm us! We had so enjoyed the "hot" weather that greeted us as we stood on the Equator. Actually, it wasn't that hot, but Quito is the highest capital in the world at 9,350 feet - and close enough to the sun to make that day's 66 degrees a very sweaty one.  And, we loved it!  We distinctly remember that our fingers and toes were warm and our lips were not purple. We wanted to roll in the sunshine and warmth that day, and we couldn't wait until our Arizona weather toasted our arms, backs, and faces.

The sweet lady who sat on the plane next to us last April 3, 2012 as we flew into Ecuador was delighted that we were going to live in her country for three months.  She had been born and raised in Ecuador and was returning to Quito from a visit with family in Miami.  She eagerly supplied us with information and facts about her beloved country.  Then, we told her where we would live for three months and she said, "Oh.  Oh, it's cold in Riobamba.  We call it frio in Rio.  Frio means "freezing."  Her follow-up question?   "Did you bring enough clothing?"  
We soon learned that just because Ecuador is located in South America, doesn't mean it's hot there.  Two days later, we learned that the sweet lady was correct:  it was frio in Rio...most of the time, too!  Riobamba is located in the center of the country in the Sierra Region of the Andes Mountain Range.  Its altitude is 9,035 feet, which is terribly close to two miles high, which accounts for the constant chilly weather.  The highs average in the mid-50's with showers and humidity and the lows hover in the mid-30's. Snow blankets some of the surrounding mountains.

 Yes.  We did bring enough clothing, and we layered everything we had.  We layered during the day because the buildings, hospitals, schools, churches, businesses, and restaurants are not heated. Our Marmot coats became our most reliable piece of clothing. 



 We layered at night because homes/apartments are not heated.  We slept under three very heavy alpaca blankets.  We showered at night because we were not brave enough to shower in the morning at 5 a.m. when our alarm gently reminded us to get up and layer as quickly as possible. 

Ecuador is in South America, but not all of South America is warm.  It was a learning process for us.  Observe the children:  they layer in the morning when it's cold, but they unlayer in the afternoons on days when the sun peeks to favor their world.  They learned from their parents who learned from their parents who learned from their parents how to get and stay warm. 

We were never sleepy during the day.  The crisp weather jarred us into attentiveness and alertness.  We could see our breath every morning as we walked to school.  And, every morning, the children warmly greeted us while all bundled up in their uniforms and coats.  Another chilly day...and all of us hoping for "sol por la tarde!"

Now, we are home...in Phoenix and it's meeting our expectations of high summer temps.  But we have the best of both worlds:  the reality of and appreciation for the present heat and the memory of and appreciation for a warm experience in "frio Rio!"

Keep Looking Up and we will, too!   Jim and Linda