Early morning clothes.  They are plentiful.

The hot season has returned. Sori lo mi. I am not a hot weather person, but I live in the tropics. Poor planning on my part, I guess. Since it is always hot here, I noticed the return of the hot season through what I have dubbed ‘the clothing arc.’ It goes like this:

Early morning, 5-7 am: Women in skirt and t-shirt or long sleeve, Men in shorts and t-shirt, Children in long pants and long sleeve over a t-shirt with socks as an optional choice.

Mid-morning, 7-10 am: Women in skirt and t-shirt, Men in shorts, Children in shorts and t-shirt.

Mid-day, 10 am – 2 pm: Oldfala women in a skirt, younger women in a skirt with their shirts tucked up around their boobs or in a tank top, Men in shorts, Children nekkid!

Mid-afternoon, 2-4 pm: Women in skirt and t-shirt, Men in shorts, Children have acquired an article of clothing, take your pick which piece it might be.

Clothes?  Who needs ’em? Sawan just needs a basket!

Late afternoon, 4-6 pm: Women in skirt and t-shirt, Men in shorts and t-shirt, Children in shorts and shirt

Evening, 6-8 pm: Women in skirt and t-shirt or long sleeve, Men in shorts and t-shirt, Children in long pants and long sleeve over a t-shirt with socks as an optional choice.

The nekkid babies were easy to get used to. It seems ridiculous to me that we cover our children up as much as we do. Little boys and little girls really have no reason to put clothes on, especially since they will just get dirty and that goes doubly for toddlers. The sign that I’ve been here for awhile was when my bubu (grandmother) walked in carrying my cousin-sister who is 20 months. The girl was nekkid but my bubu had on a skirt and button down shirt with no buttons shut. I didn’t even blink in taking my cousin-sister to play with me in the corner.

Who is the poet who said, ‘When I am old I will wear purple’? It was either Maya Angelou or Zora Neale Hurston. I have a slightly different sentiment. When I am old, I will be NEKKID! (Or at least topless.)