Expat Report: Month 20 – Surviving The Summer Heat Wave

The clock is ticking—soon enough, I’ll be officially starting college here in Argentina!

This summer has been pretty stressful. On top of dealing with a swarm of insects trying to invade my home, I’ve also faced constant water pressure problems and frequent power outages—both pretty common around here. This is only my second summer in Argentina, so I knew what to expect, but that doesn’t make it any easier to handle.

The heat index has been brutal, spiking as high as 40°C (104°F). There have been days when I couldn’t shower, wash dishes, or do laundry because the water pressure dropped to almost nothing.

To beat the heat, people crank up fans and air conditioners, which puts a huge strain on the power grid and causes these intermittent blackouts across the province. At least I have something to look forward to—autumn is just a few months away, and with it, relief from this relentless heat. Plus, I have to admit, I look way more stylish in winter clothes than in summer gear.

In the meantime, I’ve been keeping busy by socializing with friends, exercising, and writing articles for my freelance job. I’ve even started watching YouTube videos to learn Portuguese. It might sound like a hectic schedule, but honestly, it’s nothing compared to what I’ll face next week when I start school at the National University of Córdoba (UNC). I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous—but also pretty excited.

Someone recently sent me a personal message asking how I’m handling single life. Hmm... that’s a tough one. I can’t say I’m happy about it. I was in a committed relationship for twelve years—that’s not something you just get over in a couple of weeks.

That said, I’m trying to see the positive side. Now, I have more time to focus on myself, which, I’ll admit, hasn’t happened much in my life so far.

So, what about my ex?

Well, getting a divorce while living abroad isn’t easy, so it’ll be a while before everything is finalized. But just because our marriage ended doesn’t mean our love for each other has disappeared. We still care for each other in our own way. Right now, we’re slowly learning how to live our individual lives while sharing the same roof.

I feel like I’ve been reborn, and like any newborn, I’m learning how to live life all over again. Baby steps.