Electricity, glorious electricity.

The electricity cuts and water shortages are loosing their novelty now. The first day without electricity I planned to go out- in fact I ended up with a fever that confined me to an early night and the next day spent waiting in a clinic for malaria test results. But the clinic visit is another story which will have to wait for another time.

The following day we had another electricity cut. The good news is we have a generator. The bad news is it doesn’t work. The even worse news is that water supply is dependent on electricity. Today I took my first glorious shower at a friend’s house after three hot sticky days and nights. It’s true that I shouldn’t sulk when many here don’t have running water, let alone showers. But that is little consolation when mosquitoes are sticking to your skin, lying back after chomping away on all you can eat feasts on my flesh.

Air conditioning is meant to deter or kill mosquitoes, so when I do have electricity, the flat transforms itself to an ice palace within minutes. It is true that at least you appreciate the small things here- I now get less excited by the amazing shellfish in the restaurants than when the electricity comes on after a long cut. And on that note I am going to celebrate, by staying in, with all electrical appliances on and the air conditioning on turbo charge. Bliss.