The Electricity Saga Continues....

Who knew that I had to buy some box that is attached to the house for me to get electricity.  I also had to hire someone to attach it to the house.  I miss the ease of some things in America!  The electrician was supposed to finish the job this morning; he didn’t show up until 11:45, so I guess that’s still in the AM.  He then tells me he doesn’t have the supplies he needs.  Really?  I had to haul my butt into town and look for the right wires; he needs 2 meters of the red wire and 2 of the blue.  Yes, I had to buy this stuff with my own money! 

I went into town, fuming, so it felt pretty good to walk it off.  I made a short stop to get a cup of café touba.  I chatted with the coffee lady for a while and told her how much I love the stuff and she topped off my cup, so sweet.  I was now starting to feel better.  I got into town and, as is always the case, people try to get my attention.  I decided to go over to a group that was waving to me.  We did all the greetings.  One person asked me what I was up to after inquiring to my marital status to which he replied that it is too bad for him.  I explained what I was looking for and he took me to the right stores, introducing me to folks along the way.  That was very nice.  So my trip into town was pleasant even though the mission was obnoxious.

The saga gets better once I get home.  The electrician didn’t have any tools to install the box.  He asked to use my tools.  Thanks to Sara and Freddy Wielandt, I have a lovely purple leatherman.  He finished the job and then charged me more than I expected because he had to come out 2 separate days because he didn’t have the right supplies!

This whole transaction took place in front of my host dad who seemed to think everything was perfectly normal.  I suppose it is, for here.  I can’t help thinking I’m getting taken for a ride here….

  At least I am wired to the family’s electricity for now.  Today, when my host dad was trying to explain this all to me, I had to ask so many clarifying questions.  I just don’t understand him.  (He did, however, make it perfectly clear that electricity in Senegal is very expensive.)  His accent is thick and he always has a toothpick or peanuts in his mouth.  Right now, this isn’t great for my comprehension!  Not to mention that he always seems grumpy, but that seems to be the way of the Senegalese Patriarch, or so I’m told.  Another PCV told me “At least you speak to your host dad, in the past year my host dad and I have exchanged less than 10 words.” 

I followed this up with taking apart my room in an effort to evict the mouse trying to make a home in my nightstand.  I destroyed its home and poured bleach all over the place.  I then did some laundry.  Doing laundry by hand is a good way to work out some aggression.  And now I have some clean clothes and a sparkling room.  Nice things to be surrounded by.  That mouse better get out!  My family doesn’t seem very concerned; mice are just a part of life…  The mouse lost its house and was spotted by my little brother in the living room; quickly my host dad pounded it with a shoe.  My room seems to be clear now.

                It’s now some days later.  I went into Senelec to let them know the box is put up and I’m here to pay my deposit.  Nope.  They have to send someone out again, to make sure the job is done.  Then I can go back the next day and pay the deposit.  Goody.

                Then the next day, a technician from Senelec came to the house and approved everything.  I am now equipped to have electricity in my room.  He told me to go back the next day to pay my deposit.  So, I went.  Amazing…no line, I was seen right away!  I told the guy I am here to pay my deposit.  He looks at my paperwork, types some stuff into his computer and then shakes his head and tells me I have to come back tomorrow to pay the deposit.  I said, but I’m here now to pay my deposit.  He explained to me that the technician forgot to do something, so the job isn’t totally finished and he should finish today.  So, back to Senelec I go tomorrow.  I have no words to explain the frustration I am feeling right now.  I think some tears will do.  I am staying in my room the rest of the day watching movies on my laptop.  But first, I'll do some laundry by hand…

And back to Senelec; it took an hour to finalize everything and I paid my deposit!  Wow.  I asked, now there is electricity in my room?  They shook their heads and said that, no, in fact, you have to wait.  There are no meters in Senegal.  I asked how long before I can get a meter?  They said they don’t know, maybe a week or so.  I went home to let the host family know and they gave me a hard time and said I should have been there earlier.  I got there right when it opened.  I asked them “How am I supposed to know there is a meter shortage in Senegal?”  They answered by saying, again, that I should have been there earlier.  Thanks for the support, no really, thanks, I mean it....

And now, I’m waiting for a meter to become available…