The reason why people here are skinnier than in the US, contrary to popular opinion, has absolutely nothing to do with people eating healthier or having smaller portions, etc...

The metro functions as a sauna. It makes me think back to high school watching wrestlers running around in plastic bags trying to drop weight the day of a match. I thought that was pretty stupid then (and still do), but having the thermostat in metro stations set at 451 degrees fahrenheit is where I draw the line. It´s line 65-70 degrees outside now but the metros are heated to the temperature of the surface of the sun. For a point of reference, I weighed about 160 pounds when I got here almost three weeks ago...I now weigh 41 pounds...and I have been eating and drinking a lot! Using the metro a few times a day really takes it out of you. Forget Atkins and South Beach, just rent a cheap hostel here for a few nights and sit in the metro station all day long. Guaranteed weight loss trick.

The worst part about it is that I am the only one sweating. I look over and all the locals are wearing scarves and hats. I feel like I am taking crazy pills. And, much to my chagrin, it allegedly gets worse as it gets colder outside. In the dead of winter, I have heard of people spontaneously combusting.