Melinda and Sarah Attempt to Live in their New Flat

February 12, 2011

Day 3 of crazy apartment situation. Still no internet. Things have improved since we got here on Thursday. Friday morning we went to visit our landlords. I cannot remember their names, but they seem to be a very nice couple. We told them about all the problems and they immediately started making phone calls. Apparently the building has its own plumber and electrician with whom we are rapidly becoming best friends. The electrician has been here 3 times today and it’s not even noon yet.  We did get foam for our beds. The plugs all work now so far and so does my toilet. Melinda’s handle still shoots water everywhere, but (hopefully) the plumber is in the process of repairing it. The exterminator is coming in about 2 hours.

Last night, I discovered that my shower head shoots water way off to the left, the water actually comes out of the side of the shower head instead of going down. And the water heater (aka geezer) doesn’t work. The landlords are going to buy both of them. The laundry machine is here but not hooked up yet. It’s a really good thing I had some extra clothes in the suitcase I left here when I went to language school, because everything else is dirty. I think we’ll be doing laundry for days when the machine gets set up.  I did find a broom yesterday. I have never been so excited about sweeping in my whole life. Now my feet don’t turn black when I walk around the apartment. Just a shade of light brown. And we got the rest of our luggage and plug adapters so I have a phone now. Yay!

P.S. You all should know that while writing this blog ‘I Will Survive’ by CAKE randomly started playing on I-tunes. It knows things…

Melinda and Sarah Shift to a New Flat

February 10

Tonight is my first night in my very first apartment. And it’s in India. Yup that’s right folks. Sometimes I’m amazed at how life turns out. Since this is my very first night in my very first apartment, which is located in India, I am remaining positive. I will not think about the fact that we badly need an exterminator to come and take care of the cockroaches crawling up our water pipes. Tonight, I will forget that there is an electrical plug which has popped off the wall in my bathroom leaving all the wires exposed. I will forget that the plug in the kitchen doesn’t work, we have no microwave, no oven, no stove, and no gas to cook with. I will not consider the fact that the floors and furniture are filthy, but we don’t have a broom, or that our counters and table tops are covered in unwashed dishes. I will ignore the fact that my toilet is broken, and when you flush Melinda’s toilet water shoots out of the handle. We have no internet and my phone is about to die, but our Indian plug adapter is locked in someone else’s apartment.  So, I have no way to contact my family or friends, but that’s not important. The mattress on my bed might be an inch thick but apparently foam to sleep on is not included in the apartment setup. Not to worry though, I’ve been told, and I quote, “After about 2 weeks your back will stop hurting.” None of these things will depress me, or make me wish I was still in my language city with my friends, comfortable bug free room, and functional plumbing and electricity. I am being positive. I am thinking about the fact that my apartment is in town, as opposed to the middle of nowhere where it used to be. I have a super cute colorful new bedspread, and my own room for the first time since October. Tomorrow, I will wake up and demand that we get an exterminator, plumber, and electrician in here ASAP. And I will start figuring out the internet situation. I will have access to the rest of my luggage, including plug adapters.  Melinda and I will do everything we can to get someone to buy foam for our beds. If all else fails, we’ll buy it ourselves. Forty-five dollars is worth a good night’s rest to me. I will think about the fact that I have the opportunity to make new friends, start new projects, and attend a church where English is spoken. I will thoroughly enjoy being able to stay up as late as I want and not having to go to bed when Melinda is tired. Tonight is my very first night, in my very first apartment, and I’m determined to like it.