I sleep in the second story of an old wooden structure. It's endearingly called the Tree House. Mold and termites have long ago moved in and have done some redecorating. For instance, they've created rather large gaps between the wooden slats that make up my bedroom walls. So large I can observe my neighbors in their backyard through them while lying in bed. Of course I never indulge in that pastime! The structure also allows me to be intimately connected with all sounds of the outdoors. A rooster or four, dogs barking, kids playing, parents shouting, and water running.
My neighbor’s backyard, like most rural Nicaraguan homes, contains several large basins for holding water. Most mornings I am awoken by the sounds of the women washing clothes and preparing breakfast in this area. I'm happy to get up at 5:30am and join them in the morning routine of clothes washing, floor mopping, and filling up of the water basins. All these chores need to be accomplished before we lose water for the day, usually around 7:30am. And then repeated the following morning.
However, for the past four mornings I've missed this alarm clock. No water means no morning chores. Dishes have been piling up, the toilet needs to be flushed, floors mopped, clothes washed, water filter filled, and litter box cleaned. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed these lazy mornings, I just haven't enjoyed making the choice between taking a bucket shower or flushing the toilet. I chose the bucket shower!
Last night I disappointedly went to bed with no shower. I was now out of options! However, to my surprise my alarm clock went off at 12:30am. Yes, the women were in the dark backyard washing clothes and filling up their water basins. I jumped out of bed to join them!
I ran through my morning routine and then some! By 2:30am I had filled up my three large basins, flushed and cleaned the toilet, washed the pile of dirty dishes, filled up the water filter, cleaned the bunny's litter box, mopped the floors, did a load of laundry (by hand), prepped another load, and finally showered.
After these two hours of abundantly running water, I was grateful for the full basins that await me in the morning. As I lay back in bed, my ears tune in with the outdoors, and at this hour they inform me the miracle is over. The water ceased to flow.
The women have retired to their own beds now too. The night is silent once more. I wonder when and if my alarm will go off tomorrow. - Caressa
I should mention Tim was absent for these four days due to a work event. Worked out well, as we would have had to share the limited water supply (not to mention the toilet!).