The confusing Taiwanese winter : freezing at 30c

Last week was full of typical Taiwanese winter days averaging around 28-30c with clear blue skies and refreshing sea-wind. I was just cruising around on the scooter, getting things done and enjoying Taiwanese winter, as I realize something strange.

So maybe to share that feeling with you, here’s a quick snapshot of what’s around me waiting for the lights to go green with a big group of Taiwanese on their scooters. It is, I promise you, a hot 30c day with the sun high above shining down directly at us:

You’ll notice that, aside from the guy next to me (who doesn’t even bother with a helmet), all the Taiwanese are wearing heavy heavy coats and winter clothes, and I don’t mean just something to cover up from the sun. Yeah, you remember right – it’s still a 30c day.

But, it is true that this winter is very confusing, because at night – when it drops down to 22c, which in some countries is considered warmest temperature, I admit I sometimes feel cold. On the nights it gets down to 15c, I almost freeze if I’m not under a blanket, and I have no idea why that is. I try to warm myself by drinking tea and eating in Hot-Pot places, but I still feel very cold. The real killer is riding the scooter during the night – even when I have two coats on, my hands and mouth are covered, I’m with a full closed helmet- I’m still freezing cold.

It’s just 15-20c, why am I feeling so cold? there must be something that happens to the body when you move to a different country with different weather. If it’s under 35c at day, and 25c+ at night – we, the Taiwanese, feel cold.