Friday, July 30, 2010

No water

I have no water. No one can tell me why. I am the only one. I paid my water bills but oh well. I'm not very upset, as I'd just like to solve the mystery. Is it an accident? On purpose? Will I ever have water again? Be relegated to the only waterless apartment in my communist block building? All I want is an operable toilet. In fact, I'd take a turkish toilet (squat toilet to all you not in Albania) if I didn't spray water out the back or go under my shower.

Thank god I had 3 months to perfect bucket bathing in Shales

Stamping and Bills Take Two

Determined not to let my failure to bring my little book prevent me from fulfilling my duties as a citizen to pay my electric and water bills, I attempted to pay once again. This time, however, I was armed. I brought all of my previous bills for the water and electricity and not one but two little books to be stamped. Loaded with bills and books I proudly stepped up into the Post Office, up to the counter and attempted to pay. After much grumbling on her part due to a bit of confusion about the precise amount owed, some manual addition, I was able to pay. The calculator on the counter being the only electronic devise in the office save for a very large brand new flat screen plasma tv advertising the Albanian postal service.


I then attempted the impossible: I tried to also pay my water bill. I was sent to the regional office. No go. The fourth woman I asked there did, however, know where I could pay it. She directed me down the market to a window. Again, armed with my little water book and bill I stepped up and tried to pay. No go. This window, which is steps from the post office where I proudly pay my electric bills is not the office for your neighborhood. For that you must go to the Mosque and ask around. Actually, she said, the water office is near where you pay the electricity. Hmm.. I thought but I pay my electricity here.

Off to the Mosque I went. I asked multiple civic minded women where to pay the water but was unsuccessful. Finally, a man in a tourist office was able to tell me where to pay my electricity. Well, that is a start I thought. So I headed off to the electricity office. I stepped inside and was directed down the road to the next electricity office. Getting warmer I thought. Outside the next electricity payment office, I saw a women with a little book and bill in her hand. Bingo I thought. This woman pays her bill and knows where to go. I asked, and sure enough she knew exactly where I needed to go to pay the water- the office behind the second electricity office.

I paid the water, but was unable to find out why I don't have water now. I might not push my luck.

Complaints

I've been in Albania for almost a year and a half; In Vlore for just over a 1 year. Justifiably I have been getting some complaints by my limited readership as to the lazy (ok, non existent) pace of this blog. So, I am going to try to play catch as best as I can. The dates may be off but the stories and events truly happened.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Stamping

Woke up way to early for my taste, the sun's intense heat and light felt even through the comfort of my bed, and tried to pay my bills. I was about 50% successful which for Albania is an A+. I managed to pay the rent and internet but couldn't pay the water or electricity because I didn't have my little book. I went up to the counter with the bill and the money and tried to pay, but the ladies at the post office (yes post office, since mail doesn't really exist here the post office is used to pay electric bills) get really bent out of shape when you don't have your little book with a light bulb that says elektric on the front. You see, if you don't have your little book there is nothing for them to stamp. Stamping being a most important and exciting activity, usually done multiple times for one transaction.The book, mind you, is only for me and my records. They keep the bill (i.e. the document I did have with me) for their records. I even offered- at the whopping price of $.50- to purchase a new book, but was refused. So, despite having the
money and the bill I was unable to pay because there was no little book to stamp. I didn't even bother with the water.