I really did have a big weekend. With an 8 hour teaching day on Saturday, and out to dinner afterwards, and a late class on Sunday (last night) and out to dinner afterwards, I was really tired. I'm pleased to report that I had an amazing sleep in - I did get up around 10 am.
And I've just showered - almost two hours later.
Having a shower is a bit of a challenge. It needs preparation. The small cublicle that houses the toilet, and the hand basin is marginally bigger than the toilet at home. On the wall is a shower rose - I can unhook it from the wall and have a shower in this little room, showering water in all directions. (Thank goodness for my mop!) Having a one armed shower has it's restrictions. Try it one day. And I leave the toilet seat up (to try and keep IT dry) so if the soap is slippery it might just fall into the toilet bowl! You can't have your towel in the bathroom or it will get saturated, so it waits on a cupboard just outside the bathroom door. Oh, and it is best to remove the toilet paper from the toilet roll holder or it too will be very wet.
I have managed to secure the shower rose on the wall, but if one changes the water in any way - the shower rose moves and showers water in another direction.
So when I turn off the tap, I have to get the mop, and mop up the water, before stepping out into the vestibule or entry hall of the small apartment, donning my plastic slippers (which are too small), grabbing the towel and going into the bedroom.
So, the floor must be mopped, the toilet paper roll returned to its home, and I'm done.
While I'd hardly call it an "ordeal" it does require some planning. And having a "quick" shower is almost impossible.
The only mirror in the apartment - and it is a fairly small one - is in the bathroom, so when I am getting ready, I have to go into the bathroom, and hope the floor is dry.
Ang guess what! Nothing is made for tall Aussie women - the handbasin is low, and the kitchen sink is low too.
I'd like to go out today - I don't have a class until 7 pm, but I am still trying to find someone who will write the address of my apartment for me. If I get lost, I have no way of getting back. I can't tell anyone where I live, and if I had to get a taxi, I could not explain to the nearly all Korean speaking taxi drivers, where it is I have to go. They guys promise me the address every day almost. Very frustrating.
I know I am between Heaven on Earth and Once in a Blue Moon, but I don't even know the name of the street they are on!
Showing posts with label bathroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bathroom. Show all posts
Monday, 13 April 2009
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Begone the choking bullock.
When we arrived we found our apartments bleak and not everything worked.
In fact last week - after my new cleaning lady had been - and done a wonderful job really, I found the toilet didn't flush. It couldn't be fixed until Monday, so I "flushed with success" with a plastic bucket. I added a number of things to my list for repairs. The stove hadn't worked since I arrived, the cold water tap in the bathroom didn't work, and the water sterilizer sounded like a choking bullock going through the death throes when it heated so I added them all to the list.
On Monday afternoon two men (Chinese of course - cannot speak English) arrived. I don't know whether it was an axe or a hammer that they attacked the stove with, but it could have been either from the sound. Within seconds a smiling Chinaman was beckoning me to come and try the stove. It now worked.
They then "attacked" the toilet. More clanging and banging and the smiling Chinaman appeared to show me the toilet now flushed, and the cold water worked. Then they were gone. Within half an hour I discovered why the cold water tap had been previously turned off. I had a bathroom full of cold water. (OK, I exaggerated a bit, a big bit.) I phoned to get the men back.
Meanwhile two other men appeared - one carrying my new water sterilizer. By the time they had dragged out the old one, put the bottle on the new one, I had water all through the "living" area and the stairs. At least they've taken the choking bullock, and I was able to clean up all the water. At least in the living room - while water flowed in the bathroom.
Another man soon appeared with some silicone, and after a few bangs, a squirt or two of silicone, I have cold water and no leaks. Just muddy footprints all over the tiled floor. So I am flushed with success again - I can flush and cook!
Meanwhile I have been told that I will be moving down to the third floor - so I went to inspect the facilities there. Everything works - except the stove. So that is being fixed up. The challenge of climbing to the fifth floor every time I wish to go to the apartment was daunting initially, but I've become fitter with all the stair climbing, but I am looking forward to moving in to the third floor. When? Who knows.
This is China.
In fact last week - after my new cleaning lady had been - and done a wonderful job really, I found the toilet didn't flush. It couldn't be fixed until Monday, so I "flushed with success" with a plastic bucket. I added a number of things to my list for repairs. The stove hadn't worked since I arrived, the cold water tap in the bathroom didn't work, and the water sterilizer sounded like a choking bullock going through the death throes when it heated so I added them all to the list.
On Monday afternoon two men (Chinese of course - cannot speak English) arrived. I don't know whether it was an axe or a hammer that they attacked the stove with, but it could have been either from the sound. Within seconds a smiling Chinaman was beckoning me to come and try the stove. It now worked.
They then "attacked" the toilet. More clanging and banging and the smiling Chinaman appeared to show me the toilet now flushed, and the cold water worked. Then they were gone. Within half an hour I discovered why the cold water tap had been previously turned off. I had a bathroom full of cold water. (OK, I exaggerated a bit, a big bit.) I phoned to get the men back.
Meanwhile two other men appeared - one carrying my new water sterilizer. By the time they had dragged out the old one, put the bottle on the new one, I had water all through the "living" area and the stairs. At least they've taken the choking bullock, and I was able to clean up all the water. At least in the living room - while water flowed in the bathroom.
Another man soon appeared with some silicone, and after a few bangs, a squirt or two of silicone, I have cold water and no leaks. Just muddy footprints all over the tiled floor. So I am flushed with success again - I can flush and cook!
Meanwhile I have been told that I will be moving down to the third floor - so I went to inspect the facilities there. Everything works - except the stove. So that is being fixed up. The challenge of climbing to the fifth floor every time I wish to go to the apartment was daunting initially, but I've become fitter with all the stair climbing, but I am looking forward to moving in to the third floor. When? Who knows.
This is China.
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