We Have Gas…

Robin here. Well, now that I have your attention I will comment about our day. Today being Sunday, we did not go to the orphanage to visit with Kristina. Last Sunday dragged on and on and I was determined to not let that happen again this week. So, after sleeping until 8:30 this morning, I made toast and coffee, talked with Greg for about an hour and then began what turned out to be a marathon cleaning undertaking. One wouldn’t think that a 600 square foot apartment would take that long to clean, but after three hours of non-stop dusting, vacuuming, floor mopping and bathroom scrubbing I was grateful that I had thoroughly cleaned the kitchen on Friday afternoon.

Yesterday, I did laundry and found out the hard way that if the dryer is running (which, by the way is not a common luxury here) then no other appliance should be turned on at the same time. The TV is okay, but don’t even think about turning on the toaster oven or hot pot and certainly NOT the washing machine. Anyway, we blew a circuit breaker and had to call Igor away from his home to come and figure out how to get the power up and running again. Since Igor had already had a beer or two, he ended up having to walk to our apartment (about 15 minutes) in the rain (light rain, but nonetheless, rain.) After arriving, Igor called an emergency number, explained the situation and was told that someone would be here in about 15 minutes or so. Another call 45 minutes later and we were told that we were next on the list and it shouldn’t be too long. With this, Igor went out into the public hall outside our apartment, opened up the electrical panel and flipped a switch. Voila! We had power. Igor then called the emergency number and told them to cancel the request for service as we bowed before him with immense gratitude.

Before leaving, Igor showed Greg what to do in the event that we sucked up more power than allowed again (I did it this morning) and he prepared to walk back to his apartment in the now moderate rainfall, being one beer heavier than when he arrived. And now, in case you’re wondering about the gas… We were still talking to Igor as he was readying himself to leave and the subject of our stovetop having one working electric element and three non-working gas burners came up. He said, “No, I’m sure they work.” And I said, “We tried to light them with a match, but they won’t ignite.” Igor then opened up a cabinet door and exposed the gas meter and gas shutoff valve that of course, was off. He opened the valve, struck a match and “We have gas!”

It’s amazing how two normally analytical individuals (that would be Greg and I) have been reduced to helpless sorts who need assistance to flip a breaker switch and turn a gas valve to the on position. But, that’s what happens when you are a stranger in a foreign land. You rely on the kindness of the locals to help you with ordinary, everyday tasks. And, we have found that kindness here in many ways; from the babushkas selling produce who carefully remove the proper amount of tenge from my hand so I can pay for their goods, to the merchants who don’t understand a thing we’re saying, but smile at us anyway. And, despite being incredibly needy yesterday, we are feeling more and more at home here with each passing day.