This week started off on a high note with the arrival of electricity. The electrician had been hard at work fixing the wiring both inside the house and from the meter to the house. It seems most of the wiring had been stolen, either by thieves or possibly because the previous owner stopped paying his caretaker, who may have then taken what was valuable.
When it was time to connect the meter to the main electric line, we were anticipating a large truck. Instead, two guys on a motorcycle arrived. They climbed the electric pole with a rope, managed to handle the main line without any accidents, and connected us to a new meter in just under half an hour. It was a bit nerve-wracking to watch but quick nonetheless.
With electricity, we could finally connect the water pump and start filling our water tank with lake water. The pipes were already set up, so we just needed to buy a pump and fix a few leaks. Even though it was quite a bit of work, we now have running water! We’re still waiting on the official water permit from the council, but for now, this seems like a cost-effective solution compared to public water.
The wall separating our property from the road is nearing completion. I even helped the builders and picked up some masonry skills. It’s like building with Lego blocks; you need to stagger them rather than stacking them directly on top of each other to create a strong structure. One of the masons either didn’t know this trick or just chose to ignore it, but we managed to correct it. Finding another builder in this small village would be challenging, so we made do.
Currently, we’re driving an old SUV, but we’re on the lookout for a smaller, more fuel-efficient 4WD, like an old Suzuki or Toyota. Our current vehicle gets about 20 miles per gallon, or even less on the dirt roads, so we try to limit our trips to the city, which is around 20 miles away.
On my last trip to the city, I picked up a USB modem. The internet is slow, but it’s a welcome change. It speeds up a bit in the early morning, which is when I try to upload blog posts and handle tasks that need more bandwidth. At night, it’s frustratingly slow.
We’ve also covered the dry toilet, which had become a home for bats, and are now using an indoor toilet and shower. After living so minimally, it’s a relief to enjoy these comforts. The shower, however, is a bit risky due to an electric heater with strange wiring right above the showerhead. To be safe, I wear flip-flops to insulate myself from any potential shocks.
Having a fridge now helps with my goal of not wasting food this November. The handyman often brings fresh eggs, and he even brought a hen that I made into soup. We visit the city for groceries, and I plan to stock up on harder-to-find items like cheese, spices, and olive oil during our next trip to the capital. Our diet mainly consists of vegetables with rice or potatoes, thanks to the great climate here. Occasionally, we add some meat or chicken. We also try to buy fish from local fishermen, though they haven’t caught anything great lately.
With electricity, life has gotten easier, although I miss the simplicity of waking and sleeping with the sun. At least now I have the option to unplug everything if I want to.
This week’s projects include finishing the entrance wall, installing a parking gate, thatching the roof of the deck, possibly painting the house, and doing some gardening.
What about you? Any projects or goals for the week?