Wednesday, December 03, 2008

T.I.V. Tuesday

When I was a child, my grandmother, Grammy we called her, used to have her water delivered in 5 gallon jugs. She had one of those water dispensers with both a blue and red nozzle respectively indicating cold and hot water. We thought it was pretty cool -- after all our water just came out of the tap, how provincial! Her brand of water was Arrowhead and ever since I always think of that size of water bottle as Arrowhead Water.
We have running water, but it isn't fit for consumption so our drinking water is delivered in similar bottles every Friday. Though we usually only drain 2 or 3 a week, we always have at least 6 at the ready...just in case (our new life mantra in Venezuela.) I have no idea where this water comes from, but I like to think it too is Arrowhead Water and though thousands of miles away, it's source is lovely, pristine, pure Lake Arrowhead.

Looks inviting, doesn't it? And never more so to me than this last weekend when beginning Thursday night our water slowed to a trickle then stopped altogether not to return until Monday morning. Apparently there was a catastrophic break in a major artery of Caracas' water delivery system and half the city went without running water for more than 72 hours. With the last vestiges in our pipes we filled the bathtubs (and discovered too late only 1 of 3 actually holds water for an extended period), hurriedly washed any dirty dishes and bathed the boys. The bath water was full of red silt and decidedly unpleasant looking so was relegated exclusively to flushing toilets.

Friday morning dawned sans water and with limited options for general cleanliness. Kenny actually went swimming first, but the resulting coat of chlorine solved nothing. We waited as long as possible, hoping for a miracle, but finally we were so offensive to ourselves something had to be done. Enter our emergency "Arrowhead" water. Using a bowlful of heated drinking water and a cup, we took our showers and repeated that each day for the next three. Finally on Sunday night we took the boys to a friend's house for baths. We had tried to keep them clean, but they were filthy and needed a good soak.

The water is back now though rumors are flying of residual problems cropping up as a result of the original break. Our bathtub is full, just in case and we are counting the minutes until we board a plane for UT and my parents' gloriously water-full house. As I stood in the shower last weekend with my cupful of water rinsing soap from my skin I tried to imagine diving into beautiful Lake Arrowhead coming out refreshed and clean. No such luck. It was a beautiful dream never quite realized.

25 comments:

Gutsy Living said...

This brings back so many memories of Belize. Except there, we had cistern water and it didn't rain for weeks. I stole some of our drinking water to wash my hair, and didn't tell my husband and kids, because our 5 gallon bottles had to be picked up by boat, not delivered to us. Thanks for the memories.

Kristy said...

There's nothing like camping in your own house. That hot shower at your parent's is going to feel awesome.

Jana and BJ said...

WOW! What a life you live! I can relate to filling a bathtub full of water (in prep for hurricanes), but not to actually living without running water. You are amazing!

diane said...

Girl, the adventure is never ending. I'll enjoy my shower a little more today.

MamaLove said...

ahh linds i know the pain..El Salvador is not all that different...and there is no regime.... so is the word. but arrrrr Chavez what a real character and really no real ability to run a country his only responiblity is run the oil and use the money to help his people...john and i were talking about this...the problem with countries that have oil as their source of income....do not expand in many other need areas in order for continuos growth...sorry i can write alot on Chavez but i won't!

MamaLove said...

oh is the food back?

MamaLove said...

happy christmas and safe journey!

wenderful said...

I guess we don't fully appreciate some things until we have to do without them. I hope your water is back now and you get that long awaited warm, clean shower!
Thanks for visiting my blog.

MsTypo said...

Memories of the developping world abound! Our water went completely out the day our guests from overseas arrived. D'oh! Thank goodness for those five gallon bottles - we were sink bathing in those by day three. *sigh* So i totally and utterly understand!! :)

Kimberly said...

I'll bet that in some ways this is an adventure you never anticipated. Aren't you glad you are writing it down?

Hazen5 said...

I will be thinking of you when I am taking my shower! What is a normal day like at your house?

Annemarie said...

These posts are so great & will be treasured when your boys are old enough to read. Great journaling!

Lauren in GA said...

You have such a great attitude about it all, I must say!

I am happy for you that a shower in Utah is waiting :)

Christie said...

Honestly, I hope they are paying you a fortune down there in Venezuela. But knowing our government, I seriously doubt that. You will be blessed in heaven, my dear.

Free Art Printables said...

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a saucy comment! I can't imagine having to live like that for an extended period of time. You are going to love your parents house!

jessica said...

Hi Linsey! Thanks for your comment on my blog...please e-mail me your sisters contact info and where she lives. I would love to have another contact here! My e-mail is aricta at webband dot com I look forward to hearing from you:)

Bridget said...

Wow. Seriously what an adventure. I don't know what that would be like to feel like I need to hoard water.

Mibi and Lee said...

LOL...the things you take advantage of the US right? Of course I think I would trade in a few days a year without running water for a housekeeper:-) Have fun in UTAH!!!

The Songer said...

For a whole TWO hours today our water was shut off and I almost went ballistic! Thank goodness we have the BYUH Pool to use as a second resource of showering!LOL! Have a great trip to Utah!

Cammie said...

linking over from SITS....trying to "meet people" Hello from Ohio!

Jake said...

Your life is Pioneer Trek in Spanish.

Hope Christmas in America is a complete dream come true!

Debbie said...

Hi Linsey...Thanks for stopping by Blog Around the World. Just wanted to let you know that you are all linked up!

Heather said...

My grandparents had Arrowhead delivery as well! I thought that it was the best tasting water on earth...and very cool. -Heather

Ilene said...

I will dedicate a moment of silence for you and the people of Venezuela during my next shower.

I hope your parents have a large hot water heater!

Wilson Family said...

Lindsey, your life sounds incredible! We seem to be living similar lives. :) It is all about the experience. We have a nanny and gardener too, because they are that inexpensive. I am afraid I might be growing to use to it though. What happens when we move somewhere else?

If you came to Turkey, that would be amazing. I'd love to hear more about what you guys do and what your future plans are. I am glad we are in touch. Merry Christmas.

 

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