Winter in Djibouti is a novel concept. It begins in October and lasts until April. The days are a crisp 85-90 degrees and the evenings get down to a chilling 80 degrees. Last night it rained at Lac Assal. This is the first rain since October. And, the temperature dipped down to a bone-chilling 74 degrees.
The Djiboutians constantly complain about the cold and wear coats, sweatshirts, even down filled jackets with fur collars during the day. And, are freezing at night. Even the Djiboutian women wear sweatshirts with hoods over their traditional clothing in the evenings and dress in multiple layers during the day.
The winters tend to have a lot more wind at our compound at Lac Assal. Winter is also the time for mosquitos in Djibouti City. For some reason, probably the wind, we don't see mosquitos at our compound, even in the winter. The mosquitos are dangerous and I have to wear repellent in the evenings when we are in Djibouti City. One of our Superintendents is very ill right now with Dengue fever which is rare in Djibouti. It is transmitted by a special kind of mosquito and there is no cure. Just symptom relief.
John and I are in heaven here in the winter. We consider the weather balmy and beautiful. We wear our shirtsleeves and sandles day and night, appreciating the cool-down in the evenings as just right. I guess it is all relative. With summers here in the 110-115 range and humid in Djibouti City, winter is a welcome respite for us. I know several Rotarians, who having come here to visit during the winter months, made the decision to permanently move to Djibouti. Now, they make sure they spend their summers elsewhere.
