The Winter in Southamerica

I was about to buy a sleeping bag in Vancouver, I though to myself; "maybe I get a lighter one since I also want to bring it to South America. My wise friend advised me to go for a thicker one as he told me; the winters get very cold. I thought to myself; "Yeah yeah, not like Sweden anyway".

Two of my room-mates, and our beloved mobile gas-heater

I have noticed that I about two really strong colds per winter here in South America (knock-on-wood, this one is still not over). And for sure, the winters are not even remotely as cold as in Sweden (and now I am just using Santiago and Montevideo as a reference) where we count -10 avg. over a good winter. So why is it so hard to adapt to the chill weather here?? All my friends seem to be just fine, with minor symptoms of a cold every once in a while.

I remember the winter in Uruguay, when I woke up I had prepared beside my bed a set of: a few t-shirts, 1-2 sweaters, and a hoodie that I instantly pulled over my torso to shield myself from the close to zero temperature in my bed room. And there it goes, the temperature is about the same inside as outside, which is hardly, or ever the case in Sweden. This is clearly something I haven´t accustomed myself to. It always surprises me when they sit with the door or window open here in the winter, but I guess at the end it hardly makes a difference. :P Thank god for our rolling gas-heater though, which spreads some hope of warmer climate to come!

My pride of being a Scandinavian Viking; not feeling nor suffering from the cold, is quickly waning as I over again fall victim to the constantly present chill temperature. (Or maybe it is this viking mentality that makes me pay dearly!?)  (Don´t answer that!!!)

Thanks MEC Vancouver for heaven on earth!

As the classic Scandinavian saying goes; "there is no bad weather, just bad clothing"! So walking around with a pair of socks and a layer of clothing in your house wont do! As well, I always keep a set of cloths ready to instantly swap into after a warm shower (which is a true morale booster!). Grandma´s wool socks and a pair sandals is highly recommended, as well as scarf and beenie! Still I am annoyed that I can´t sleep with an arm outside my sleeping bag! - And mentioning the sleeping bag, this thick sleeping bag that I bought in Vancouver, is without a doubt the most precious item I possess!

So, to all of you out there who is planing to go camping in South America in June, July, August, bring  a T-h-i-c-k sleeping bag!! :D

A real white winter is way easier to deal with! - With my two brothers in Whistler / Canada 2012

This entry is clearly a rant from me dealing with this cold, ..again! - Strangely it seems to come after a long night out ...  :S ) - THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING!