This may not make sense unless you know that we only have running water three times a day. From 6-6:40ish in the morning, sometime midday when we’re not at the house to take advantage of it, and 6-6:40ish in the evening. In the morning and evening we get a warning of sorts that the water is about to come on because just before the water, the electricity goes off for a minute or so while the guys in engineering switch generators. In the morning, the slowing of the fans is usually enough to wake me and if not, sounds of running water seem to. We leave the shower on so the excess water can be collected for use when we don’t have running water, which leads to one of the most unique, ingenious toilet flushing systems I’ve seen. Here’s what it looks like:
So, after doing your business (or before if you’re that prepared) you pump water with the blue plunger-like device through the tube that is attached to the inside of the toilet tank with plastic zip ties. After about ten to twelve good pumps, you get rewarded with the honor of flushing.
Tonight, like clockwork, the lights dimmed, fans slowed to a stop (reminding us how much of a blessing they are), then, the return of electric power and the familiar discussion of who would be first in the shower began in a mix of English and Swiss-German. The first two each went off to their respective cold showers. Another luxury not present here is hot water. It’s usually not too much of a loss since the weather is so hot but I must admit, there are mornings I have to psych myself up to jump in that shower.
P.S. Last Thursday #11, tonight was #12
