As Jeff reminded me a few times over the past three days, there will be “Shanghai” days, and “Shang-Low” days here.
This week’s Shang-low moments have included …
…returning from vacation to learn that since it’s October, the PTB have shut off the air conditioning. Even though it’s hot and humid outside (and about 90 degrees at home).
And we can’t open the windows because we have cats and we’re on the 49th Floor. Andwhen we examine the windows and think, "nah, no way they’ll even try to get up here," then open just a couple – which brings sweet relief – we learn that yes, indeed, at least one can – and will – jump up and sit on the edge of the window, not caring that it’s 40+ stories up. … … …
So, after bribing him down with a treat, we realize that until we can devise some sort of screen, we really cannot open any windows regardless of how hot it is. So, we sweat. And hope it turns cooler fast.
…walking into the laundry room to see water dripping from the ceiling onto the back of the washer where the plug is, and splashing directly onto the outlet where washer and dryer are plugged in.
And when I report this electrical hazard to the property manager, the response is as follows:
“Lots of people in this [building] have the same problem; it's because of the weather-typhoon in Shanghai these days.
[We] suggest that you can do some cleaning with buckets and mops. When the rain stops it will be good as usual.”
Uhm...Huh? Really?? I guess so, provided that there is no electrical short or anything. So, anyway, I unplug the washer, wipe up the water, put a bucket on top the washer (which can’t be moved much at all due to the drainage tube going into the floor), and set a timer to remember to empty it every few hours. And then, when the rain stops, plug the washer back in and hope it works.
Leaking about a gallon an hour ... for two days. Thank goodness we were home.
…deciding that since it’s pouring outside, to eat in – only to discover that something went klafooey with the oven and I can’t get it to turn on. At all. No matter which button I push, it just reads STOP.
And, while the landlord left all the “assembly” instructions of every piece of (already assembled) IKEA furniture in the place, we have no user manuals for any of the electronics. So I have no idea whether I’m just pushing the wrong buttons or something’s wrong with the stove. And so I Google the model number for 30 minutes, trying to find an online version of the manual, even though the internet is acting up again, cutting out every 3-4 minutes. And, it's just impossible to get to the “real” Google, even when on a US VPN, because it just keeps reverting to Hong Kong Google. In Mandarin. And the translator keeps crashing, so can’t read it. Then I just give up and decide that Jeff has to cook because he knows how to cook everything on or with anything.
~~~
But then … when the rain stopped and I went out to market, and decided to try using a few of the Mandarin words I’m learning, and all the ladies stop and laugh and clap, nodding their heads. And I feel like I just won the National Spelling Bee!!! (But all I really did was say 49? in Mandarin … badly).
And then I decided to see whether the repairs to the tub last week actually worked. And they did! The tub fills up in only 10 minutes, and the jets work, and the tub no longer leaks when the jets are on! And ... it’s awesome!!! This tub is so big I need to stretch to reach the other side!
And ... :::drum roll::: ... I learned that our sea shipment is scheduled for delivery – FINALLY – this Friday, which makes me dance around the place like a crazy woman. Our “glamping” days are ending, and I can’t say how glad I am about that!
Now, I'm trying NOT to count chickens and all that. Things get delayed - often. But it’s hard. I’m so ready for our stuff to get here! I’ve been “glamping” since July 18th – in what turned out to be an unsuccessful attempt to shorten the time we did without our stuff while here.
I’m ready to have my bathrobe back. And our bed!!! And a dresser to put my clothes (and … well, some different clothes will be great too). And our dining room table. And an actual wine glass, because it’s just not the same drinking wine out of a red solo cup. And a wine opener that actually works. And our potato peeler – I had no idea how much I used it until I didn’t have it. And our good knives and a few more pots and pans and dishes. And our camera cords, so we can download (and upload) pics from our travels. And to have a few of our “favorite things” hung up on these very bare, very white (or slightly pink and/or slightly purple) walls.
Fingers crossed for Friday delivery!
(Of course, once it all gets here, I’ll be stressing about the fact that I packed and shipped too much stuff and don’t know where to put it all. Because I know that I packed up way more than the list of things above, which are all the things I actually really miss………………)
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