How did they do it a long time ago?

I don't remember it being so humid and hot in a long time. That's probably because I lived in Seattle for the last six years, and over there, you experience only dry heat. Heat is one thing, but couple it with humidity, and you've got a real struggle on your hands.

Last week after work, while walking up the steep hill to the parking lot where my car was, I became very aware of every breath I took. The sun and the humidity made it feel like I was carrying a fifty pound rucksack on my back. At the very top, I had to double over to catch my breath. There was another thirty yards to my car, but the walk felt like a mile.

Over the next few days, I had many similar experiences. Funny thing was, there were even times when I was resting that I suddenly felt very drained and very drowsy, as if I could just close my eyes and go to sleep right there. I suppose that's an effect of humidity. It drains one even at rest.

In all this time, I did not use an air conditioner. I could have, but I didn't. At night, the air cooled down enough so that a box fan in the window blew in enough comfort to merit a good night of sleep. That was during the first few days, but the heat and humidity didn't abate. I actually think it got worse.

One night, I slept at my girlfriend's, in an air conditioned room, and noticed the difference between the air in that room, and how Hellish it was outside. Immediately, I thought of the times before air conditioning. How did they live and sleep without it? I suppose there's all kinds of tricks one can employ when one has to, but, right now, it's too hot and humid to ruminate too much. Instead, I'll take it on faith that life sucked without air conditioning. That was then, and this is now. I will simply retire to my room and with one turn of a knob be cooled to Arctic delight.