My Look at this Crazy world

The story continues with the same plumber that rode the bike in with the western toilet  attached to the back rack!  Come with me to the kitchen I gestured with hand motions and so few words it felt rather odd.  Little water, little water I would say turn on the valve for Hot or Cold and he would go into a long exchange in Dari.  Air basically the lack there of was what he tried so hard to explain to me.  The system needs air, now we all know this principle all to well right turn the Milk jug straight up and down and what do you get chug chug chug – turn it to the side so air might seep in and you get a steady stream.  So the guy leaves returns with a 1.5 meters (5 feet) of white pipe.  With the blade of a hack saw, not a full saw just the blade, and cuts the water main that runs along the top of our house.  Builds another fire to heat the pipe and adds the air vent to our system.  Charges me 2,600 Afg and explains to me in Dari that it is fixed.  So I turn on the water in the kitchen and the bath the pressure is a bit better but he explains I need to pump more water to the roof to see the full effect.  I understand the tank might be close to empty and accept this answer.  The only issue is there is not electricity at the time to run the pump but he assures me its fixed we say our blessings and good bye as he leaves!

If you recall the Milk Jug example you know that this did help SOME. There is now a bit more cold water coming into the system but the hot water boilers yes that boilers plural will not fill. So I say something to one of our team members who seems to be a bit handy and he says he will find different plumber who will come tomorrow.

Our second week in Afghanistan has been what I would call a bit dry! You need not attempt to ready any thing into that other than DRY!!!  Our first week was getting to know the city dinner out at restaurants in the city and learning our way around. Day #6, I was determined we would have water in our Kitchen and Bath, so we could wash the mound of dishes and maybe take a bath that didn’t resemble a bucket and cup.

Actually the story begins on day #5 by asking a friend to call a plumber to install a western toilet. The phone calls were made and less than a hour latter here is some one to look at what is needed for the job, it is later in the day, and he promises to return first thing in the morning. The plumber came bright and early @ 2pm with a western toilet tied to the back of his bike, YES that’s right like the Queen Song “Bicycle Bicycle”.  As if this was not already strange enough that my new western toilet didn’t come in the back of white van with the name and cell of the plumber stenciled along the side.  It became really odd when he started the instillation, every one has stood and watched some one put a toilet in right – Well just incase you haven’t let me explain.  In the States most people use a small ring of wax to seal the porcelain object we so lovingly call the thrown to the plastic pipe that is in the floor, so the defecation and waste do not leak. Not in Afghanistan, no sir in Afghanistan we simply install the toilet and then build a large fire in the bowl heat the very object that was white pretty and some what clean so the plastic pipe that the thrown has been crammed into will not leak.   (And yes 8 days later it hasn’t leaked but we haven had water either so we will see) But that is another story all together.

While taking part in a game called Amazing Race  Mazir we dorve past a larg Rickshaw of Jugs, wow they do things much different here.   You know me camera in had I had to snap a few pictures.
We are loving the city while the sights and sounds are much different from those of America.    Jeni and I are working trying to get settled into our home learn a bit of language and figure out the store for food. ( Dad we are eating well)  I have been uploading pictures to facebook if you would like to see more of what we are experiancing.

I have spent the past 2 days packing sorting and trying to get my earthly belongings into as few bags as posible.  After sucessfuly packing two bags to 49.5 pounds, I decided to take a break have a cold Coke and read my email.  It was during this break that I started to question the wight the cost and the bags I have packed.  After three phone calls another Coke and 4 hours of wondering I am going to bed.  No one will give me the same answer so I am goign to drive over to GSP and ask the people @ the Desk Where I will check in.

Resolutions of 2009

* Not to live in America more than 10 days this year.

* Travel to many countries that Americans consider strange.

* Not sleep as much…  Read more

* Learn a Language

* Love on People

* Story from Creation to Christ