What's new?

Well, it's been a long time since I put anything on my blog, so I thought I'd better update it.

Things here have been going well (mostly). As with everything, there are positives and negatives. Every time we run out of water or have a power cut, I keep reminding myself we're living in a third world country. It's all fine when it's only off for a little while, but we had no water for three whole days! The water for our house is actually from a well underground but it’s either dry or there’s a blockage because there is no water coming from it! It’s so frustrating. It’s not so bad for Penri as he is at work all day and he only had to deal with it in the evenings, but for me I’m at home all day and I couldn’t wash up, use the washing machine, take a shower or anything! I had to keep going down to the swimming pool to bring up buckets of water to flush the toilet … really annoying!

Anyway, the landlord's office told me a plumber is coming to sort out the well but until then they have fixed the water pump to the swimming pool tank so at least we can pump water up to the house. At first, I said to Penri – that’s gross using water from the swimming pool tank, but when I found out it is actually cleaner than the water from the well; I figured we have a better deal. Apparently, the quality of the water has to be better for the pool because of the chemicals they use in it. Anyway, I’m just glad to have water!

I am starting a healthy eating binge from today (it's easier to call it a binge than a diet). I have put on SO much weight since I have been here – it’s all the curries and poppadoms (which I have become an expert at making). The problem is when I’m bored, I eat, so if I am at home for the day I end up snacking and it’s really bad for you! So, I bought a couple of apples, oranges and some grapes (and cleaned them all in the Milton stuff) and if I get hungry I’ll snack on them.

So overall things are going well. It’s really nice to find other expats and know we are not alone here. That’s how it felt for the first couple of weeks but actually now that I am starting to find decent shops, places to visit and people to meet up with, life is getting easier and I’m enjoying the experience of living here.