New York Heat

Elmo needs a little shade too. In the heat that entraps most tourists pouring into New York City, one must find several ways’s to keep cool.

According to a man dressed up as Elmo, hydration is key in escaping the big city humidity. Walt Daniels was seen drenching himself in a bottle of water after he took in a big gulp.

“In all actuality, and I’m being for real, this suit keeps me safe from all that, you know? Talking with kids and taking pictures is really what will do it, but you know, other than that, I’m good,” said a soaking Daniels.

Daniels said that he walks around the city as the Sesame Street character for about six hours a day everyday.

Daniels said that he tries to drink at least a bottle of water every two hours and that he paces himself as he walks throughout the city. He said, “It’s not a marathon, you know?”

In traveling around the area surrounding the Rockefeller Center, people found their own way’s to hydrate. From the men posed behind the hot dog stands to the men and women operating the magazine booths and down to the doormen at restaurants.

Doorman Eric Guru said that he typically finds coolness in staying inside doors.

“Me? No, I don’t go outside. Yesterday, I stayed inside, in shorts, under the air conditioner.”

Guru mentioned that it’s not only important to stay under the air conditioner in New York weather, but that it’s also important to eat healthy foods.

“Fruit. I eat fruit days like this. You feel heavy when you eat fast food in this weather. No, you have to eat fruit and [a lot] of water,” said Guru.

There were some children who were spotted lying under their parent’s jackets to shelter themselves from the shade.

It is important that children be monitored in weather like New York’s. It is easy to get a sunburn mark and to stamp it as a common experience in the city, however, tourists are sometimes caught off guard by the intense weather.

In late June, a Washington mother was furious when her daughters were sunburned after being denied to use sunscreen on the playground at school. In images found on FOX.com, the young girls were seen with ruby red cheeks, arms and legs.

Whatever the case, it is important as tourists and citizens of New York to know that hydration, fruit and a little sunscreen wouldn’t hurt to carry around if you plan on exploring the city on day’s like today.