Most people have about a zillion more important things to do than follow the winter weather follies of Israel. Normally I am one of them. But not this year; in the 13 years since we arrived at 32* 11' 0" N/ 34* 52' 0" E (Ra'anana's normally desirable latitude and longitude) I never dreamed I could be so cold. Cold to the core of my being.
If one more person says to me: "You're a Canadian", with the additionally implied "I thought you could handle this weather", I am going to scream. If you look at the actual thermostat readings of the past week, they should -- for a Canadian or anyone from the northern third of the US -- be totally late Fall or early Spring acceptable.
So why is that all my Canadian friends in Israel, along with a gaggle of New Yorkers, New Englanders, Chicagoans and the like, have spent an exorbitant amount of time fantasizing about their old winter coats that they left behind and their inexplicable new found weather-wimpiness?
"Ice?"
"Ha."
"I used to eat ice for breakfast before I went outside in -20*C to scrape the even thicker ice off my frozen car windshield with my bare hands."
What happened to all of us hearty types?
I'll tell you what happened.
First the science: Our body's ability to control temperature or thermo-regulate does involve blood circulation. In the cold, the small blood vessels on the surface of our bodies get smaller to keep warm blood deeper inside. Apparently, my body forgot how to recognize that it was time to shut down its small blood vessels to protect me. It has become more used to dilating to release heat. It is a scientific fact that if you live in a warm climate for a long time and return to a cold one (or in this case, freak cold weather comes to your warm climate), it takes longer for your circulation to adjust.
Now the reality: It has more to do with our perception of temperature than the actual temperature. Let me explain that more clearly. In our North American minds there is no reason to feel cold when the thermostat says that it is 10*C. Speaking as a Torontonian, 10*C represents a very nice Spring day -- particularly when accompanied by sun. It is surely not a day for a hat or gloves. And it is definitely NOT winter coat weather.
And finally, the facts on the ground: There are many of them including that houses here are built without insulation and are constructed with cement blocks and stone. Not the coziest of build materials. But the real reason that we are so cold when the temperature falls to single Celcius digits, after decades of preparation for months at a time of minus 10 and 20 (and sometimes minus 30) is that we are in denial. We came all this way and left the winters behind us. It wasn't the reason we came but it was a lovely side effect. However, when we face an aberration in the weather it never dawns on us to change our thinking.
This little scenario illustrates my point:
Scene: Walking from the parking lot of the Country Club to the club the other day with my Toronto-born and bred friend Iris. Both of us in our exercise clothes -- tights and long-sleeve, quick-dry shirts.
Me: I am so bloody cold. I can't believe it.
Iris: The last time I felt this cold was in winter in Toronto.
Iris: My backside (I am using creative licence here with her language) is frozen.
Me: My legs are too.
Both of us: laughing at how ridiculous we know we sound.
Iris: Of course, I guess we could have worn coats.
First the science: Our body's ability to control temperature or thermo-regulate does involve blood circulation. In the cold, the small blood vessels on the surface of our bodies get smaller to keep warm blood deeper inside. Apparently, my body forgot how to recognize that it was time to shut down its small blood vessels to protect me. It has become more used to dilating to release heat. It is a scientific fact that if you live in a warm climate for a long time and return to a cold one (or in this case, freak cold weather comes to your warm climate), it takes longer for your circulation to adjust.
Now the reality: It has more to do with our perception of temperature than the actual temperature. Let me explain that more clearly. In our North American minds there is no reason to feel cold when the thermostat says that it is 10*C. Speaking as a Torontonian, 10*C represents a very nice Spring day -- particularly when accompanied by sun. It is surely not a day for a hat or gloves. And it is definitely NOT winter coat weather.
And finally, the facts on the ground: There are many of them including that houses here are built without insulation and are constructed with cement blocks and stone. Not the coziest of build materials. But the real reason that we are so cold when the temperature falls to single Celcius digits, after decades of preparation for months at a time of minus 10 and 20 (and sometimes minus 30) is that we are in denial. We came all this way and left the winters behind us. It wasn't the reason we came but it was a lovely side effect. However, when we face an aberration in the weather it never dawns on us to change our thinking.
This little scenario illustrates my point:
Scene: Walking from the parking lot of the Country Club to the club the other day with my Toronto-born and bred friend Iris. Both of us in our exercise clothes -- tights and long-sleeve, quick-dry shirts.
Me: I am so bloody cold. I can't believe it.
Iris: The last time I felt this cold was in winter in Toronto.
Iris: My backside (I am using creative licence here with her language) is frozen.
Me: My legs are too.
Both of us: laughing at how ridiculous we know we sound.
Iris: Of course, I guess we could have worn coats.
I selected all the "reactions" this time. I hesitated at "cool", then chuckled and clicked it. Kendall, I love your way with words. The only thing I found a bit off was your reference to being a "Torontonian"? When people ask me where I'm from, in colder than normal Florida (I know what you mean), I always respond that I live in Ontario but I'm FROM Nova Scotia (I used to say Cape Breton...but they don't have a clue....even NS sometimes gets the glossed over look). Sometimes I add," in fact I've been living in Toronto longer than I lived in Nova Scotia...", but I still like to qualify!! I missed the actual temperature you're experiencing...? In Florida, we tell those that suggest Canadians like the cooler weather....unlike you, we did come here for the warmth; and we don't like the cold...which is why we're here!! I never complain about weather here though. It's always way warmer than it is at home!! Just to let you know that there's even a Canadian in Florida sympathizing with your plight. You might want to bring back the winter coat and electric blanket next trip to Canada. Warm Hugs.
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