Search This Blog

Popular Posts

Pages

Total Pageviews

Popular Posts

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Water Woes


The rain is often a main topic of discussion: "When? How often? How much? Does it also rain in Cape Town?"

I reply: "It usually rains here, along with hail, thunder and lighting, in the evening, from about 5pm."

"It's now 5oh5, and it's not raining yet."

Or, if it rains at around 3pm.

"Is it 5 o'clock, already?"

Then the bell will ring during a downpour and a potential guest will say over the intercom.

"I have questions, but I need to see you outside. What have you done to the weather?"

Adele, treating her elderly mom to a holiday at Kruger, asked me why we had to switch off our electricity and geysers at certain times? Her mother was very offended because where they came from geysers were old people.

One morning, I wake up to the sound of gushing water. Dash outside. Burst geyser. I 'phone a plumber.

"What is the problem?" he asked: "Are you sure the geyser has burst? How is water flow, fast or slow? Have you checked, if there is perhaps not another problem? Is there a drip tray? How old is the geyser? What is the capacity? What is the make and model?"

Now, how would I know?

On his arrival, he asks for a ladder and I am told that the geyser has not burst, so he installs a new element.

The following morning, I hear water again, this time a little closer.

The bathroom has flooded! The plumber arrives, with a bewildered look on his face, and fiddles about:

"All sorted, Madam."

The following morning, kaboom!

The plumber tells me he is not coming back. Spend three hours finding another one, who installs a new geyser.

The following morning, no water.

"I was in the shower and you have no hot water. What do you mean, none at all? Oh well, I'll just have to swim now."

Steven drives to the Council, and later hurtles into the driveway as though avoiding a twister:

"Some idiot forgot to fill the reservoir." (A joke, right?) "But, the water will be on, at 12."

At 3pm, the taps are not even gurgling.

Steven pacifies me: "Maybe they are filling the reservoir with hosepipes."

I picture them, dangling their legs over the edge, while at Terrylin there are seven bogged toilets.










Friday, December 4, 2009

Our First Guests

When I was still naïve, I allowed the following:


At 2 am, two ladies arrive and ask to do an inspection of the rooms both speaking at the same time.

Once the momentous decision has been made I call them to reception.

After 15 minutes, another decision is made of which credit card to use. Five are declined.

"We are sooo tired. Why can't we just pay in the morning?" one asks

"Can you cook us some meat and eggs, now. We are sooo hungry," asks the other.

"It is 3am," I reply. You can have a light breakfast in the morning."

"But, can we order dinner now? Please call someone as we would like to see Johannesburg and Soweto tomorrow."

At the breakfast table: "Where are the meat and eggs?"

"At the supermarket," I reply.

"Did you forget to organise the tour?"

After an hour long discussion I make the boooking. The guide is on his way.

"Will there be an interpreter?"

"Please cancel the tour. We do not have any money. Please call a taxi."

Four calls later - the time changes from now, to just now, to now-now, to later.

Steven then steps in and confirms that the taxi is on its way.

"You are so unkind. We can change our minds as often as we like." They grin at each other.

Then I am followed around.

"Is this a fridge, no?"

"Is this a microwave oven, no?"

"Is this a swimming pool in the back garden, no?"

"Is these posters of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley on the walls, yes."

"No, that's Steven and me," I reply. They look at me as though I am mad.

"We are going to report you to the Tourism Department."

But not before I report them to the Mental Health Department.