We've got a bit of a problem today - this morning I turned on the tap to have a shower - the water pressure was a bit low, and then turned into a trickle, and then.... stopped. Only half way through washing my hair....
The water usually comes from a nearby dam, but apparently the pump is broken. So now we've had no water all day today. For some unknown reason, the hose tap outside still works (maybe comes from a bore?), so trusty Rita then filled up about 10 big buckets outside, and carried them on her head (they must be at least 20kg!)inside to a big container we have in the bathroom just for those occasions when the water supply breaks down.
So I can finish washing my hair with a bucket of water and a ladle. Now that's old school!
We're quite lucky in that we have running water (and its only really been a problem a couple of times since we've been here). But many of the local people don't have any running water, so they go every day to the local well or bore, and have to pump a big handle up and down to pump the water out. Then carry it on their heads back home again. Its always the girls' job to get the water, so often you'll see young girls maybe 10 years old, carrying buckets almost as heavy as themselves!
I often see young children standing on the side of the road, near the gutters, having their "bath". They'll be completely in the nude, wet themselves a bit with their bucket of water, soap themselves all over with a sponge and soap, and then tip the water all over themselves again to rinse off. Usually singing a song....
Its quite cute really, but is also one of those things that make you realise how lucky we are to have the simple things in life - like taps that always work.
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