Oh how distant and delightful May Grey seems now!
You really don’t know what you’ve got until it has gone! Can you believe it was only a few weeks ago we were all celebrating the sun finally showing his face after several gloomy months? Now overcast skies seems way more appealing, don’t you think?
I was overjoyed when I woke up to the start of rain last Tuesday. Sadly it was only a very brief shower and by 10am the temperature had already reached 80 degrees… and it doesn’t look like it is letting up any time soon either. Although the forecast for the first week of August is a cooler 79 it still has a ‘real feel’ of 84. I find it can be a little confusing that what we are feeling is not the registered temperature, I think it is related to whether the wind is blowing or how much moisture is in the air.
Either way I am bleedin’ boiling. I’m lucky enough to have an air conditioned apartment as well as a communal swimming pool, but I know many of you aren’t as fortunate. Whilst it is tempting to just go and stand in the freezer section at your local grocery store there are a few more interesting options that our city has to offer you.
If you fancy a dip and can’t get to the beach many of the hotels around town allow you to swim without booking a room. But it still isn’t cheap. You can try your luck sneaking in, but if you prefer an easier life go to one that offers a day pass. Plenty do, including the Sunset Towers, Sportsmen’s Lodge, the W and The Standard. It’s advisable to call ahead as they often stop this perk on busy days.
The city has plenty of public pools available too, although they just aren’t quite as glamorous. I hear there is one tucked away in Griffith Park, if anyone has been I would love to hear your thoughts , I have visions of something like the pools at Hampstead Heath, but my google image search doesn’t quite live up to that. West Hollywood has one on San Vicente and Pan Pacific Park houses one as well. For a full list of public pools visit www.laparks.org/aquatics – For swimming lessons visit www.swimla.org
Some of us can’t afford to spend our days swimming and sunbathing as we need to get some work done; if that’s you then head over to your local library. The majority are air conditioned and you are very welcome to hang out there as long as you want. They even have free WiFi and access to computers and printers. Plus your first 10 pages are free then 15 cents for each additional page.
Cafes and hotels are also an option, but a purchase (or several) is usually required. Starbucks is an exception, they allow people to use the loo, sit in their cafes and patios even if they do not buy anything.
Our friends at Palihouse over on Holloway Drive in West Hollywood also welcome you to stop in and linger over a coffee (iced in this weather please!) just as long as they don’t have any special events on. One of the new owners, Tess said they want to share their lovely lounge and lobby area with everyone.
If you do have a day off, now is the perfect time to visit some of our fine museums. Most are air conditioned and many are free, and even more if you have a library card! Visit this link for more details https://www.lapl.org/explorela
My tips to stay cool are obvious to many but worth reiterating: stay hydrated! I eat lots of chilled satsumas which really seem to help and they also cuts down on trips to the loo! Draw curtains/close blinds, I’ve heard that hanging cold damp towels in an open window can help. Although our heat is so brutal I would think they would be dry in 10 minutes? Have you tried this?
Don’t exercise/ exert yourself in the middle of the day – just earlier this week a 32 year old NFL player was working outside in Arkansas and died from a supposed heatstroke. Walk your dogs early morning or late at night, as the pavement can burn their paws. And never leave your dog in the car, even if it is only for ‘two ticks’.
Lastly make sure to check on your friends and neighbors especially the elderly, as sometimes we can be too proud to ask for help.
I hear that the UK is suffering from a similar heatwave, so make sure to follow our advice too and feel free to email us or post on our Facebook page if you have any other suggestions for beating this heat.
The city has a more comprehensive list of places to cool off, which can be found via this link www.lacounty.gov/heat/
We often hear people complaining about paying taxes but I am actually quite impressed by the amenities provided in and around LA County, aren’t you?
Cheers!
Eileen
