So we probably have all played those games, either in our classrooms or even younger in our childhoods. You know the game I mean, where you say you are going somewhere (grandma's, on vacation, to the store etc etc etc) and you are either taking things with you or you are buying things. Well, let's play a little game called "I'm going to the desert and I'm taking..."
Many things likely come to mind that you would want to take in/to the desert; camels, carpets, sunscreen, sunglasses... probably the first and most important that came to mind was water. Well, good for you! It seems that when you GO to the desert, you SHOULD actually take water with you! Of course all those others are important, but water being the "life blood" that it is is ultra-important.
It seriously, when moving to a desert country, to a desert city of 28 million people.... yes, that's right 28,000,000 people, never even ever(!) crossed my mind that drinking water would not be available. This country, like many other developing countries, have perfect the water purifying process in large areas. The real problem lies in how the water gets from the purification station TO your house. Most of these places have metal pipes which have been corroding for years and will add in all sort of lovely little chemicals and bits of rust, microbes that will indeed make you sick. So what is the solution to this problem? Bottled Water!
Bottled purified water is an excellent drinking source, when available! As it stands, 3 days ago I went to get some water from a place near school delivered (a big 20 liter jug) which presumably would last for at least 2 weeks. The store had the water in, but because of the area that I live in, they were not willing to deliver it. Foolish me thinks "Well, if they have them, there are a ton of stores between here and my house that should have them and will deliver to me." Upon visiting 4 stores on the way home, non of the other stores had the large bottles of water. Many had small bottles of water which come in a box of like 20. Who in their right mind wants to pay MORE for a small box of LESS water than you would get in a large jug? 3 days ago, not me! So I walk home because after all, I did still have a 1.5 liter bottle in the fridge.
The following day, I foolishly go back to the same store that had the large bottles in the first place to buy one of them and they are out. He's willing to sell me a box of water, but at this point, I have 4 other stores I can check between there and home and I decide "nah, I'll find something." Nothing between there and here, except 1 store with small bottles.
Yesterday, I go back to the original store after getting my 2nd hepatitis B shot and no water at all. I check 4 other stores and with the exception of one store where I would have to have a charge account with the company. I go to the smallest store closest to my house, one I've been avoiding for the entire time because it's small, I'm foreign, you do the math! No water. Cute little Egyptian teenager tries to get me to say the word water in Arabic and WHAM, a slap in the back of the head from presumably his father, the store boss for what I can only guess. But, no water there at all. He smiles and say "No water today!"
Welcome to Thursday. I've been out of water at my house for 2 days and am parched. The sun really does take a lot out of you, but it's also the lack of the dreaded humidity that my body is so accustomed to that could be worse. Sucks the water right out of you and cotton mouth within 2 minutes outside. Finish a nice day of school, walk home and stop to buy (2) 1 liter bottles of Coke Light. Leave the shop and head home. Look over at the small shop on the way home and a beacon of heavenly light shines down on these gorgeous boxes of Dasani water. Small bottles mind you, 500ml, but 20 in the box. I run right up and snap a box up for myself. The kid behind the counter is friendly, tells me he will deliver it whatever time I want, but while writing up the bill of sale, his poor pen runs out of ink. I pull out a pen from my bag (sorry Joseph) which just happens to be a Mimosa Park Elementary Pen and leave it as a token of gratitude for saving me from certain death by dehydration!
So, I'm going to the desert and I'm taking..... WATER, A PEN (oh and I forgot my stupid sunglasses at home today so I was squinting all day) MY SUNGLASSES!!!!!!
Ain Sukhna this weekend. Been here less than 2 weeks and already taking a holiday. My classroom could use some more work, the curriculum could use some going over, but it will get done Inshallah!(If it's God's will!) More about Ain Sukhna Monday or Tuesday and pics too! Until then, what are YOU taking to the desert???
Many things likely come to mind that you would want to take in/to the desert; camels, carpets, sunscreen, sunglasses... probably the first and most important that came to mind was water. Well, good for you! It seems that when you GO to the desert, you SHOULD actually take water with you! Of course all those others are important, but water being the "life blood" that it is is ultra-important.
It seriously, when moving to a desert country, to a desert city of 28 million people.... yes, that's right 28,000,000 people, never even ever(!) crossed my mind that drinking water would not be available. This country, like many other developing countries, have perfect the water purifying process in large areas. The real problem lies in how the water gets from the purification station TO your house. Most of these places have metal pipes which have been corroding for years and will add in all sort of lovely little chemicals and bits of rust, microbes that will indeed make you sick. So what is the solution to this problem? Bottled Water!
Bottled purified water is an excellent drinking source, when available! As it stands, 3 days ago I went to get some water from a place near school delivered (a big 20 liter jug) which presumably would last for at least 2 weeks. The store had the water in, but because of the area that I live in, they were not willing to deliver it. Foolish me thinks "Well, if they have them, there are a ton of stores between here and my house that should have them and will deliver to me." Upon visiting 4 stores on the way home, non of the other stores had the large bottles of water. Many had small bottles of water which come in a box of like 20. Who in their right mind wants to pay MORE for a small box of LESS water than you would get in a large jug? 3 days ago, not me! So I walk home because after all, I did still have a 1.5 liter bottle in the fridge.
The following day, I foolishly go back to the same store that had the large bottles in the first place to buy one of them and they are out. He's willing to sell me a box of water, but at this point, I have 4 other stores I can check between there and home and I decide "nah, I'll find something." Nothing between there and here, except 1 store with small bottles.
Yesterday, I go back to the original store after getting my 2nd hepatitis B shot and no water at all. I check 4 other stores and with the exception of one store where I would have to have a charge account with the company. I go to the smallest store closest to my house, one I've been avoiding for the entire time because it's small, I'm foreign, you do the math! No water. Cute little Egyptian teenager tries to get me to say the word water in Arabic and WHAM, a slap in the back of the head from presumably his father, the store boss for what I can only guess. But, no water there at all. He smiles and say "No water today!"
Welcome to Thursday. I've been out of water at my house for 2 days and am parched. The sun really does take a lot out of you, but it's also the lack of the dreaded humidity that my body is so accustomed to that could be worse. Sucks the water right out of you and cotton mouth within 2 minutes outside. Finish a nice day of school, walk home and stop to buy (2) 1 liter bottles of Coke Light. Leave the shop and head home. Look over at the small shop on the way home and a beacon of heavenly light shines down on these gorgeous boxes of Dasani water. Small bottles mind you, 500ml, but 20 in the box. I run right up and snap a box up for myself. The kid behind the counter is friendly, tells me he will deliver it whatever time I want, but while writing up the bill of sale, his poor pen runs out of ink. I pull out a pen from my bag (sorry Joseph) which just happens to be a Mimosa Park Elementary Pen and leave it as a token of gratitude for saving me from certain death by dehydration!
So, I'm going to the desert and I'm taking..... WATER, A PEN (oh and I forgot my stupid sunglasses at home today so I was squinting all day) MY SUNGLASSES!!!!!!
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