It has been very hot these days especially now, when there is a tropical storm up north. I walk around and I see various ways people protect themselves from the sun. Umbrellas are used here not for the rain, but for sun protection. The wider they are, the better. In the construction sites, the workers cover themselves like Arabs in the desert. Actually, if they can avoid it, nobody will go out under the sun. This is really quite amusing for me. Here in the Philippines, I do not think they have "avoiding skin cancer" as the reason why they stay out of the sun. The Filipinos are actually paranoid of getting dark. The Visayan word for dark is "itom", which when literally translated, means "black". I once asked a worker why he covers himself like an Arab and wears long sleeves while working under a scorching sun on the roof. "Isn't it so hot and suffocating wearing those?", I asked him. His reply to me was: "I do not want to be black. I want to be white, like your husband!".
In sailing, we use hats and sunglasses. We also try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, but we still get very dark just from the glare and reflection of sunlight. We do not have a roof over the helm on deck. Thank goodness we have the autopilot and windvane, or else steering the boat exposed to sunlight all day will be torture. To protect my face from sunlight, I did make a mask made of old t-shirt fabric to cover my face. I just cut holes for my eyes and nose. To Kjartan, I must look like Casper, the friendly ghost because I made sure I look like I am smiling. I first wet it with cool fresh water before wearing it. When wet, it is very refreshing under the heat of the sun. The mask is long and also covers my neck. It is very easy to make, with just an old t-shirt, pair of scissors, needle and thread. There is no need for a sewing machine.
Can you just imagine what will happen if I walk around with this "ghost mask" in town? Who knows, I can maybe start a new fashion trend.