Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 10, 1993 TAG: 9307100114
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
That's the multicultural, climatic critique of four Radford University students who come from countries where it's hot a lot.
"Yeah, it's been hot here," said Dakshina De Silva of Sri Lanka. "You cannot open your eyes when you go outside, it is so hot. You must wear sunglasses."
But not as warm as his home, an Indian Ocean island.
Fruit drinks mixed with yogurt are common in Sri Lanka, and do better than sodas at keeping the body cool and hydrated, De Silva said.
Also, Sri Lankans favor drinking hot tea during sweltering weather. "Your insides get hotter so you feel that your outside is cool," he explained.
In India, where temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, "It rains a lot and it does get humid," said Rajiv Haravu.
During days of intense heat there, people don't go outside much. Those that venture out commonly massage coconut oil into their hair and scalp.
The oil keeps the head cool. "But I don't use it here. It's not available," said Haravu.
In Greece, the policy during heat waves is "avoid unnecessary acts," said Yiannis Mavropoulos.
"Walk in shadow. Drink a lot of water with salt in it. Always wear clothes enough to cover the body. You don't want part of your skin exposed," he added.
Light-colored, thin cotton garments are favored in Sri Lanka and other nations to deflect heat, absorb sweat and keep air circulating next to the body.
"It's kind of crazy to me to see bare bodies in the midday," said De Silva, a 25-year-old economics student.
"I can't believe the fascination with tans" in America, said Haravu, 19, who is studying medical technology. "Here you see people with the skin on their noses peeling off."
"I call it cancer skin, with all the radiation," added Mounir El Haram of Morocco.
Mavropoulos, like the other three, has been laboring this summer on a university maintenance crew.
He's been going back and forth from inside to outside, from air conditioning to heat. "That's a killer for the body," he said.
"Even for Americans, it's too cold."
Exposing yourself to temperature extremes "doesn't do good to your internal organs," said Mavropoulos, a 28-year-old communications student.
"Take warm showers, not cold. It's better for your body. It doesn't have to make drastic adjustments."
"Very cold drinks are not particularly good" either, he said.
"You can drink cold beer," El Haram said, a suggestion that prompted hoots from his fellow internationals.
"American beer - it's awful!" said Mavropoulos. "It's colored water!"
Other countries have adopted a practice similar to the midday siesta common to Hispanic cultures.
In Morocco, there is a break from noon until 2 p.m. "Everything is closed," said El Haram, 26, a biology major.
Likewise, in Greece work is halted between the middle and late part of the afternoon. "People sleep," said Mavropoulos.
Ultimately, being cool in the heat is a mental challenge, he said.
"Try not to think about it. The more you talk about [the heat], you might get burned, too.
"Basically, don't do anything. Just sit down."
by CNB