Under Control

It's been 10 days since my return to Kosovo. I think that I finally have the burps in my living situation under control: mainly my water and power issues. Due to low snowfall last year and a long, hot summer, water levels are low. The water company has instituted "reductions" which means that my water pressure is often so low that I can't get water up to my apartment (which is on the 2nd and 3rd floors). However, as long as the power is on, I can go out to my breaker box and flip a switch to turn on the pump. If the pump is running, I have enough pressure for laundry, showering, and dish washing. When I first arrived last week, the water was actually being turned off for hours at a time and I was making do with bottles filled with water. Fortunately, that's no longer the case.

At around 8pm the night before last, about two-thirds of my power cut out. Luckily, I had already eaten dinner and washed the dishes. I was just getting ready to settle in on the couch and read a bit (I'm currently reading Tim Judah's newest book, Kosovo: What Everyone Needs to Know) when blink! Most of my power was out (I did have the kitchen light, the bedroom light, and the stovetop to work with, but none of my outlets were receiving any electricity). Yesterday morning before I headed off to the university, I went and told my landlord what the problem was, and late yesterday afternoon, the electrician came over and put in two new breakers. I had to dump the contents of my fridge (any power outtage over 4 hours leaves my fridge room temperature). I hate it when I have to do that.

This morning, all is well. Knock on wood. I have internet, NPR on the tv, lights, heat, water, and something hot to drink. I bought a new blanket on Monday to make sure that I can be nice and warm at night (why I didn't do that last year, I'm not sure). It's a lot cooler now than it was this time last year. Since I've been back it's been chilly and rainy. People are enjoying the weather after such a hot and humid summer. My hope is that it starts snowing soon so that there aren't such big water issues next year.