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... and the song got it wrong. The livin' ain't easy! It's the water pressure jumpin' and humidity that's high.
The temperature has been in the mid thirties for several weeks now, an earlier, hotter summer than last year. Who needs to go to the sauna? Pottering about the house is just as effective - and free.
I can't understand how it can be so humid and so dusty at the same time. Our lane is unsealed so the steady flow of motorbikes and the occasional truck and car send up clouds of fine dust like talcum powder. It's a constant battle - it coats the floor and furniture and I'm sure triggers my frequent sneezing fits. Leave a book on the table overnight, pick it up in the morning and it leaves a neat rectangle-shaped pattern. I'm up as early as possible to sweep the courtyard, then it's inside and sweep and mop the floors. It's impossible to remove all the dust so mopping just creates mud streaks - is it worth mopping again? I must admit I usually take advantage of the early morning cool to have a nice hot cup of tea or coffee - when I can have it without it breaking me out in a sweat all over.
We're used to the water pressure varying with demand throughout the day, but lately it stops altogether during peak times. This hardly happened last summer. We fill basins and buckets when it's on so we can wash hands, dishes or ourselves if necessary while it is off. Thankfully it's never off for long - and at least the weather's hot, I couldn't handle a bucket wash in the cold.
We have the fans going constantly and often retreat to the bedroom (the only air-conditioned room in the house) with laptops, phones, books. Owen does a lot of his work stretched out on the bed with laptop perched. I of course have to do much of the housework out in the heat of the rest of the house! A woman's lot!! The electricity bill was a record $40 last month and I think next month will be even higher.
Summer here is, of course like everywhere in the world, holiday time. Schools broke up a couple of weeks ago, so the kids are enjoying the free time. They're on the streets riding their bikes and playing games (few toys in these parts), and the bigger ones hang out at the supermarkets drinking smoothies and playing computer games or visit the couple of swimming pools in town. Although school doesn't go back till mid-August, many only have a few weeks break before the summer extra classes begin. Most teachers take private classes in their homes to supplement their not very generous incomes.
The evenings on the other hand are cool and still. Footpath foodstalls and cafes are busy. People are out eating on the street or just sitting on the footpath in front of their houses. The Square is busy with stalls selling balloons, drinks and snacks. Also hiring out pedal cars and mini cyclos which the kids love. It's lovely to sit and have coffee, fruit juice or sinh to (a large glass with chopped assorted fruits, jellies, nuts and condensed milk - all then mushed to a pulp with a spoon and topped with lots of crushed ice)
All this may sound negative - especially after the incident prone visits and medivac adventure mentioned earlier. But no, there's actually a certain liberation in getting back to basics - freedom from the obsessions of home. Matching decor doesn't seem to matter any more.
- comments
Darryl the Misery gosh it makes me feel hot reading your blog! Here in London they are talking about the current "heatwave" which has lasted about a week with a temperature hovering around 25C! I also love your electricity bill- I wish I had one that small. Keep cool!
Zig Avenel, I feel the same when we return home from an overseas trip where we've stayed/lived with locals and dealt with basics. There are many 'things' that just don't matter anymore and others that 'really' matter!I certainly appreciate our facilities at home more because of the experiences away - and our trips have been short ones! Looking forward to having you back in Perth.
Rajni A lot better bathroom than Lanzhou...with nice tiles and all...
avenel Rajni. The house here is newer than the apartment in Lanzhou so the facilities are in better condition. The nice thing about the bathroom is it's bigger - so you can have a shower without the whole place getting soaked!