It’s a day celebrated across the region. Not on the same day everywhere, granted. Next-door neighbors might not even agree on when it should happen.

But it’s a big day here in Abu Dhabi, and we observed it today.

October 9? Yes, it could only be …

“Turn the Water Heater Back On” day!

An excellent day. One we look forward to for months.

What it means is that for the first time since, oh, April … the water coming straight into the shower/tub is just a bit too cool for bathing comfort.

Exactly. For the past six months we didn’t need our water heated. Just take it straight out of the tap and it’s about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pipes outside soak up the ambient heat of 100-plus in the day and at least 90 all night, and eventually even the pipes buried warm up, as well. So we just turn off the heater. Save a little energy that way. Plus, we avoid the chance of being scalded.

But no heated water is so “Arabian Peninsula summer,” and summer here goes on forever. (Have I mentioned that?) To have to turn the water heater back on … because the water is a frigid 95 … well, it’s good news. It means the cool months are almost upon us.

A big day. We broke out the party hats and ate cake. Well, not really. But the weather appears to have turned. Hurray.