What's Your Biggest Luxury?

Are you a fan of simple living? Maybe you car pool to work or use energy efficient light bulbs? But, we all still indulge in luxuries right? So what is yours? An SUV instead of a fuel efficient mini car? Maybe you love your grande latte from Starbucks in the morning?

Well, this morning I rewrote my definition of luxury. And here's how it goes: WATER. That's it. One simple word....water. Yes, it is a luxury. Not hot and cold running water at all times of day and night. Nope, just plain water. Like, enough to wash your hands and brush your teeth with in the morning (and notice I didn't even ask for the flushing of the toilet that comes before the hand washing).

There is a percentage of the world that has no clue what it is like to be without a reliable, clean source of water. But here's the news flash that most of the people in that group miss, your the minority. Yes, I know that you have seen the images of women on television lined up to fill their mismatched buckets and bowls of water at the community tap to carry it along the dusty road back home. But, don't scoff at me yet, have you really thought about it? Well, I had to this morning...only for a few hours...and let me tell you something. It wasn't fun.

I had a great morning planned starting with a little sleeping in. Decided to roll my way out from under the covers at about 8:00. Thought I would maybe make some coffee and then wash those sheets that have been sitting in the corner waiting to be freshened up for when I no longer need the warmth of my sleeping bag. Sleepy-eyed, I make my way out to the charpi (toilet...but you throw the water down with a bucket rather than flushing), and discover...no water. Nothing to panic about, there is an extra bucket of soapy water left over from the other day when I washed some clothes. I throw that down the toilet and don't think twice. Surprise number two, I can't wash my hands. Well, I guess I will use the tiny bit of water left from just rinsing my clothes because it only had clean clothes in it. Problem solved.

Wrong. Problem still coming.

The thing is, we live in a village up in the hills and are known for having a plentiful supply of water. While most of the village houses do not have running water, they can fill up tanks at their house for use during the day. Otherwise, they make the short trek with buckets to the village tap and carry water back home, which gives them more than enough for drinking and cooking. Really, my house is lucky, we DO have running water all the way to the house. But, it's the dry season now, so we run out. Lately, we've been running short each day, but not so bad that I've registered what this means. Only yesterday, I was feeling a bit lazy and didn't fill up a single bucket with water. Not the kitchen buckets, not the toilet buckets, nothing. Which brings us back to my morning of consternation.

After the make shift hand washing, I wander to the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee. We do not have a tap in the kitchen so usually a few buckets of water sit on the floor to use for cooking. This morning they were sitting with only the smallest puddle in the bottom. And now the morning wake up call really kicks in...THERE IS NO WATER. I have one last trick up my sleeve, we have a water pump, but it only works when there is electricity. And guess what, yep, this morning no electricity...and the loadshedding schedule says I'm out of luck until noon. Crap....that's 4 hours! Alright, that's life in Nepal right? I figure, I'll combine those puddles of water from the bottom of the buckets for at least one little cup of coffee, I'll just have an apple for breakfast (no water required), and then I'll head to the city to catch up on emails and when I come back...there will be some water.

I get my cup and half of water boiling and save the last half of cup to rinse out our coffee press....stylishly held together at the moment with numerous applications of duct tape. I get to the sink (a cement hole on the floor) and find ants. Damn. In my laziness yesterday, not only did I forget to fill up the water buckets but I didn't finish washing the dishes. One bowl is infested. What to do? No water....remember? If I just had one....one little bucket of water all my problems would be solved. I could wash my hands, wash the ants out of the sink, and be on my way (let's not even talk about how much water it would take to wash those sheets). Ok, I can handle this. I hold the ant infested bowl out the window, knock the ants out, flick the remaining ants off my arms and inspect the sink. The rest of the ant family is looking for a new spot....I have to squish them with my fingers. I lean back out the window to see the ants climbing on the walls. I attack with a broom and then spread turmeric on the window ledge...ok, did I really hear that turmeric can deter ants or am I just losing my mind at this point? Ant problem postponed for the moment...now if only I could wash my hands. Oh well, I wipe them off on my pants.

Whew, everything is ok now. At least until I have to use the bathroom again. I drink my coffee and head into my room to change into some jeans so I can head to the city. Problem still not solved. I cannot even brush my teeth or wash my face. I am losing my will to keep trying. EVERYTHING requires water. When did that happen?

I commence on a silent rant in my head. I can't even wash my hands! How ridiculous is that? Is it too much to ask to just brush my teeth? Seriously! Just my teeth! Let's not even talk about trying to shower or wash clothes. My sink is filled with dirty dishes. Your welcome stupid ants. Hope you come back in an hour. I can't do anything! I'm stuck. Frozen, trying to start the day.

It's now 10:15, and just as I've lost all of my previously positive attitude. The power comes back on. A moment of grace of the electricity Gods. I burst into action! Run downstairs and turn on the water pump. Take all the buckets out to the tap. Brush my teeth with the first trickles of water. Take the first two buckets back to the kitchen and boil drinking water. Start in on the dish washing and pouring the ants down the drain. I fill up extra buckets for the toilet and take the kitchen buckets back for round two. I my face and my hands! It's incredible!

I admit, maybe I sound a bit dramatic about being without water for just over 2 hours. But, it really did put a damper on my morning, and it got me thinking about the lives people face when they do not have access to water. It really must control a person's life. I still think I'm inconvenienced when I miss a shower here or there. Even after living here for over a year, I still take water for granted. How can you not when you grow up with an endless, beautiful supply that can be hot or cold at your demand? So, if you've read this far, do me a favor. Try to go a day without using any water besides the small amount you drink or cook with. Or, at least count or think about it every single time you turn on some water. It will make you think.

Now answer this question again.....what luxuries do you have? Is your list a little longer?