停电 Power outage

There are several things to get used to living here in Houjiazhuang Village, some more subtle than others. The minute-long stares a foreigner will get from children who don't know how to hide their curiosity is pretty much accepted soon after you get here. The toilets, the 40-minute commute to a shower and having to heat your own water become ways of life. Yet, one must also come to the hard realization that water and electricity supplies are not guaranteed 24-7 like in most cities. Which is a definite pain in the ass when your office happens to be on the same grid.

Worst is that these utilities often go without warning, unless you count the cursing that comes from co-workers who have suddenly found themselves in a front of a blank computer screen. A shortage of water comes even more quietly, making itself apparent only when you turn the faucet to wash your dishes and all you hear is the hiss of air escaping from the tap.

Life goes on in the school though without skipping a beat. During a power outage, the 'ding-ding-ding' of a manual bell replaces the rapid ringing of the usual electric school bell to mark the class periods. Teachers setup chairs outside to prepare their lessons in the sun, and me and my co-workers take it as an opportunity to practice our ping-pong skills.

I guess it's not all too bad, the power does always come back on eventually.