Living Without Water

(Editor's Note: I wrote this last week when I was really upset about not having water at my house. It is not one of my more positive or upbeat posts. Sorry.)

Being in Georgia makes one appreciate a lot of what one would have taken for granted at home. I never thought I would be placed in a position in 2011 where in EUROPE I would have to deal with being without water. I like to try and keep the blog positive, but being without such a basic necessity makes one less than pleasant.

It has now been 31 hours that there has not been water at my house. It conveniently went out mid-shower yesterday morning. I had not even had the chance to rinse the shampoo out of my hair when the water abruptly disappeared. My host mother, Nunu, brought some sketchy water to rinse my hair and face with. At first the lack of water was laughable, but now 31 hours later, it is not a laughing matter in the least. I have a 24 hour time limit on being without water I discovered. I should no even have to be without it for a minute.

Westerner will find the reason for the lack of water appalling: It rained. Often in Batumi, when it rains the culinary water supply gets shut off because the entire system is so bad, archaic, and problematic that runoff can easily mix with it. (Or this is at least what I have been able to put together based on what I have been told.) WTF? Rain? In no developed country would a casual rain result in taking about water from people. It would have to be the type of rain that would bring about catastrophic flooding for that to occur. I repeatedly mention this fact to Georgians. Furthermore, I make sure that my friends here who are immigrating to Canada know that they will always have water and despite living in Calgary will always be warm in their home.

The lack of water seems to concern no one but me, which is disturbing itself. The fact that the people of Batumi accept that they should not have water because of rain is unnerving. In any civilized society, the people would have long ago rebelled to ensure that nothing like that would happen. The people would have demanded it. I keep thinking that the people in New York City at Occupy Wall Street have access to clean water. Hell, I have had access to clean, drinkable water in the middle of nowhere Utah when I have been camping! One can get clean, potable water at the bottom of the Grand Canyon! But in the second most important city in an entire county, I cannot be guaranteed that. Again, WTF?

If I were Georgian, I would demand water all the time before any more of the country's money goes to fund ridiculous and hideous architectural projects. (Frozen Fountain and Ministry of Justice I am thinking in your direction). To be a truly developed country, one needs water and power. (And in 2011, Internet all the time). Water, throughout civilization, has been a basic necessity to the survival of the culture. The Romans would probably laugh if they knew why I was currently without water. Moreover, from what I have heard this problem seems to have begun only since Georgia became independent and the Soviet Union fell. Hmmmm...curious. I have also heard from many people that life was better during the days of the USSR. This is probably one of the reason it was better because then they had water.

However, thinking about it, I am A TAXPAYER in this country. I should have just as much of a say as a citizen as to how the country's funds are used. Earlier this year a project was undertaken in Batumi to fix, as it was my understanding, the water and sewer systems. The project supposedly cost $75 million (funded of course with foreign money, from Germany I believe), and I have actually seen a considerable amount of work being done throughout Batumi allegedly connected to this. Last year the street that I currently live on was torn up for months while work was being done. Consequently, one would have thought that I would have water right now. But wait! That is logical! And this is Georgia. Silly Charlotte! Logic is for Americans!

Ultimately, Georgians have no one to blame but themselves. To let such a problem for on for 20 years while public money is being used to fund things not essential for life is unconscionable. Maybe I should start an Occupy Batumi to ensure that water is always available, regardless of weather, to the citizens of this city.

Thankfully the Sheraton always has water, and I am a Westerner who can pass for someone staying there. I can easily slip in and use the facilities there.