Sun Tips From the Tropics

A  L  O  H  A !

Having lived in Hawaii
 half my life,

and possessing a complexion 
that 

does NOT resemble 
an old boot

I feel confident in dispensing SUN

advice, though I have given up

on sharing my wisdom with 

random strangers here in Waikiki.

I have learned to bite my tongue

when I see:

Girls with fish belly white skin

laying in midday sun.

"I have sunblock on"

say the most thoughtful of them.

Too bad they have applied 

too little, too long ago
without reapplying,
[or less than 30 minutes before].

Sunblock does NOT

provide iron-clad protection.

Another faux pas:

Folks with cute hats

riding on the back of their head,

narrow of brim, or with a floppy

brim that blows up in the breeze

exposing the face.

My Australian Lifeguard Hat

[ image HERE ]

is reminiscent of the ones

plantation workers wore

to protect their faces.

 Hawaiian Pineapple Packers' Association 
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Even today, 
folks working in the fields

wear functional hats, long sleeves, 
bandannas deployed. 

Some ladies wear gloves.

Refined ladies of the American South

used to tell their daughters:

"Don't dare let a drop of sun

strike your face."

NOTHING 
beats a barrier 

between you 
and the direct sun.

When the sun is 
striking your skin,

particularly your face
or upper chest,

[I am not as stringent with less vulnerable
skin on my legs]

it is as if 
a taxi meter is running.

I hear it. 

Every second counts,

because each drop of sun

is taking glow, and texture

out of your skin. 

Healthy beautiful skin
is like a 

bank account you're born with.

Preserve you wealth/beauty!

And
skin cancer is very common.

I am not embarrassed to use an

umbrella on a sunny day.

Shade draws me. 

Do not stand

3 feet away from shade:

GO to it!

Walk on the SHADY
side of the street!

SUNGLASSES
protect your eyes
and the thin, vulnerable
skin around them.
Squint if you want
wrinkles!

Cover your shoulders 
with a cotton 

beach wrap, 
shawl, or towel.

Yes, sunlight feels good.
But

while on vacation, you WILL get

enough incidental / reflected sunlight

believe me! 
Take your time.

You are from a different

latitude; Your skin is not accustomed

to tropical or sub-tropical sun.
If you must "tan"
take it VERY slow

Personal tip: 
I carry a bandanna always!

You can not only de-shine 
your perspiring face,

Check This Out:

Carry bandanna over your arm
like a waiter's towel
holding one corner.
Protect your hand
and arm from sun!

Mikhail Tikhanov [Public domain], Wikimedia Commons

 Hawaiian chiefs did NOT

go about in the sunny hours.

Treat yourself

 like a Chief or Chiefess!

[/]

Fondly,
Your Shade-Worshiper Friend,
                                              cloudia

"Mad dogs and Englishmen 
go out in the midday sun, 

The Japanese don´t care to, 
the Chinese wouldn´t dare to, 

Hindus and Argentines
sleep firmly from twelve to one 

But Englishmen
detest-a siesta. "

Noel Coward