Its Hot-Hot-Hot.

Well, it's gotten to the point of how an average summer day here differs from an average summer day back home in Canada. For starters, the temperatures are miles apart. In BC, we think that 30 degrees is enough for us to immerse ourselves in ice and not come out. Here, the ocean temperature is easily 30 degrees and higher, and the regular temperature is around 40 to 50 degrees, higher in some cities like Podgorica, and regulated by the ocean in places like Sutomore where I live.

People have ingenius ways of avoiding the heat; and some methods which can be found questionable. Staying inside and finishing house work during the climax of the sun's rays, or sitting in the shade and enjoying a small breeze are the easiest. Some people go to work, or hop down to the beach and take a quick swim (too long and the UV rays will get you, even with glops of sunscreen). Fans, spray bottles, cotton cloths around shoulders, anything and everything.

You get used to the scorching hot heat after a while, and the tan that comes even with all avoidance of sunlight and warmth. In fact, many people embrace the warmth and use it to their advatage. No, I'm not talking about ice cream vendors or water slide operators, which are pretty well off in these kind of places.

Solar power.

As much as we'd like to consider ourselves environmentally sound, this is only the beginning of the restorative measures we need to take. Here, electricity is expensive, so is water and internet and cable, so people do what they can to avoid these costs. Positively using the resources given to them. Solar panels installed on roofs and solar powered lights, it's a new wave in power.

People pay less, use less, harness more, gain more, so why wouldn't they? It's an amazingly smart approach to bettering the world, and saving more money. Then, there's public transport. Your average person, any age or vitality, will walk almost anywhere. Tightly knit communities and safe streets, no drug addicts or homeless people littering the grounds. Also, buses and trains and bicycles are a cheaper and easier alternative to driving by yourself, and there's also carpooling.

With the cost of essentials here, especially petrol and electricity, you can't afford to waste anything you have, or spend money aimlessly. Sometimes I feel awkward knowing how little the people here have, and yet appreciate it so much more, and then what we have and take for granted in comparison. This nation is happy, amidst all the troubles and wars it has gone through.

It almost, dear journal, makes me jealous...