Naaw mai? (หนาวไหม)

I've been getting this question quite frequently in the past week or so in Bangkok... roughly translates to, "is it/are you cold?" My response is "naaw maak" (very cold!). Usually this time of year, it would be, "roon mai?" (i.e., is it hot? ร้อนไหม) because it's supposed to be the hot season (or the hottest season). But this year, the weather is not normal, especially with the "mango rains" (fon tok mai? ฝนตกไหม) happening in February and March, and un-Thailand-ishly cold weather in the past week. Yes, I know those of you in the NE US think I'm a baby when I complain about the cold weather here, but when you're used to temperatures ranging from 80-100+ F (26-37+ C), getting into the 60s (19C) is frigid. Even the soi dogs have put on their warm clothing!

See? Cold!

Elsewhere in Thailand, there has been some pretty terrible flooding. Last year, there was extensive flooding in the north and central parts; this year, many parts of southern Thailand are underwater.

I need a hygrometer

This morning, as I walked out of my apartment into what is usually damp, warm air, I felt slightly surprised. It took me a few seconds to realize what was different about this morning, in comparison to all the other mornings. The difference: it was not humid! I actually felt a bit chilly as I biked to the BTS. The lack of humidity even made the lunch table news. A colleague owns a hygrometer (a tool to measure humidity) and it was only 50% this morning. Most days, it is between 75-90% or it is raining.

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of dry air.