This is my second post today. Consider it an attempt to make up for the lack of posts over the weekend. Actually, I feel compelled to write to mention that we have no running water. It’s the second time in as many days. Quite a shock for someone who’s never lacked water more than a couple of days in his life.
We had frequent power outages at our last place since it was well out of town. They were frustrating, but manageable. We knew where the candles, matches and caving lights were, and could always cook on gas. The power is much better in town, but we’re not prepared for water problems. We have no water stored for cooking, which is probably a good thing because then we don’t risk urgent toilet use.
In hindsight, we should have been prepared. One of Marie’s colleagues lives in cheap government housing with new amenities, a good view, but not enough water pressure to fill the toilet. They have to carry buckets up from the flat below. Another expat couple have given up on showering for the lack of water pressure, now washing from a bucket.
In Bhutan, water comes from the mountains in such quantity and with such force that hydroelectricity accounts for more than half of all export income. That water is stored in tanks on each roof, or on a tower outside, to fall into the house. The same principal works in Europe and probably did or does in Australia, but here the tanks aren’t high enough to provide the pressure and the the public supply must get closed for emergency work more often than in my other homes.
I hope it starts flowing again soon or Marie will start to stink.