The electricity in my apartment tonight keeps flickering on and off. It can’t decide whether to stay or go. I unplug my computer just in case of a power surge when it decides to come back on again. I’ve noticed recently that it goes off every day some time after late morning, and comes back on again by the time I get home from work. It hasn’t been a problem for food in the fridge since the enclosed balcony where the fridge is maintains outdoor winter temperature anyway. Gas has been steady but low. Strange thing is, for the past few days I’ve only had hot water running in both taps. Nothing scalding or anything. Rather a nice warm flow. So much for my daily wake up splash of cold water. I’ll just have to appreciate the luxury of warmth for now, especially when my five foot tall hot water tank is automatically warm when I come in from the cold. He’s become my new best friend. I come home and I go immediately to him and give him a big hug – for five minutes until my hands, feet and face are comfortably soothed by his radiating heat. I was thinking about giving him a name but I’m afraid that Peace Corps will read my blog and wacko-‘vac me home.
At night, my down sleeping bag and silk underwear have served me well. I haven’t had to use the Peace Corps issued space heater yet. Still holding out for the bitter, stormy nights to come. Anyway, its hard for me to admit to being cold, especially to my Colorado friends, who often forget that I was born at sea level in the tropics – nowhere near their mile high mountainous birthplace. Despite the fact, I actually enjoy the cold. I just have to wear more clothes than the hefty, stalwart folks. I’m looking forward to getting snow.
Finally, some of my packages have arrived. One of them was sent in June! The goods from home will come in handy through the bleak winter, and I expect there will be more to come. I’m hoping this backlog will push through some others that are over due by half a year. Until now, I had not received any boxed packages since May. Talk about patience. Fingers crossed for my next visit to the post office.
I imagine that most Americans back home are in a frenzy over the coming of Christmas. While I do miss my family and friends, I am very happy to be out of the fray...
Stop driving back and forth to the mall everybody!!!
It's so good to read regular posts from you again. I like reading about what life is like over there and keeping up with your daily tales. Reminds me that there is a world out there that I rarely hear about, but that is just as real.
Winter in Uzbekistan. I know very little about it... just seems really cold. I suppose time in the mountains is out until late spring, too. Do the people there do any kind of winter sport activities?
Posted by: Miguel | 12/06/2004 at 08:51 AM