No matter which city you live in, if summer arrives there in all its brutality, hats have to be donned in all their glory. And if you’re travelling, then you must carry one or better still, buy one at the destination. Well, if the latter seems like a chance you don’t want to take, take your fave along.
There are two ways to carry your darling hat on a trip. One is to carry it in your hand (inconveniently, mostly!) along with the hand baggage. The second is to pack it like a pro. Place it as the first thing in your suitcase and stuff it with socks, scarves and other small essentials. Pile up your beach wear and other little foldable clothes under and around it. If you still find wrinkles upon unpacking, steam iron is your best bet.
These dilemmas of city life make it interesting as well as cumbersome. It’s all in the point of view. For instance, the dilemma here is whether to wear a hat or not, given that the street culture of the city isn’t that snazzy and experimental after all. It can safely be concluded as mundane at large. It’s among some of the hottest cities of the world yet, you’d barely be able to spot people in hats, scarves and bikinis to beat the heat.
Sitting here in India, another big question is why should cool, breezy wear be only worn in beach cities and not in every city that sees temperatures rise beyond normal. It is rare (read impossible) to spot topless men and sarong-clad women in the cosmopolitan parts of the country here. If a city doesn’t have a water body with some sandy banks, does it not require some man-made lakes and shores to chill by? Landlocked cities that have polluted rivers break my heart. While there is no place to take a dip in, culturally also it never evolves.
Summer has such a sweet buzz to it. While evolution of every kind can wait, the summer mustn’t go waste. No matter where you’re, try an inflated pool on the terrace with Pimm’s in your hand, sunscreen all over and definitely, a hat to give you true company.
