Water & other reflections (final suitcase arrived too)

In the States I don't think about water much. Here I do.

The expatriate American woman who lives around the corner from me said, "The water right now is really good!" Imagine my surprise since the water is blue/gray coming out of the tap. My other expat Peruvian neighbor filled her kiddie pool the other day. The water was completely opaque. I can't imagine what "really bad" water looks like. Actually my neighbor said, "like coffee."

So I guess we're fortunate to come when the water is "good." In our home we have a US Embassy issued water distiller which provides constant clean water. Water from our tap is not potable. It's amazing to me how little water is really necessary to brush teeth. Each of us can now do it with less than 8 ounces.

Much of the world lives without potable water, or even access to water. Here there is water flowing through small channels next to the street. There is plenty of water, but it's dirty. Oh, the things we take for granted in the States.

Cooking here (or anywhere we've lived in Central Asia) takes so much time and energy, partly because of the water-factor, and partly because so few prepared foods are available. Washing lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro and carrots the other night for a tossed salad took me 45 minutes or so. Tiring.

Part of why I love this part of the world in spite of the dirty water, heat, poverty, "inconveniences" is that it reminds my heart to be grateful. My gratitude level always rises here. I am so thankful for what I have. My compassion level rises too. It's easy for me to grow numb in the states. I think my heart needs trips to third world countries to stay soft.

Today:
This morning Erika and I explored "Tsum" (the central store) for souvenirs. Finding very few we ventured to the Tajik Painters Union gallery. Beautiful paintings and woodwork. I would have loved to take a few paintings home in a suitcase.
From there we explored the Rahat Tea-house, a beautiful indoor/outdoor showy "chaikana" with fountains, and a reception hall. I took a bunch of photos.
It's been over 100 degrees nearly every day. So we stay indoors from lunch till dinner. This afternoon however we and two other American families are headed to a reservoir on the edge of the city to go swimming. AMAZINGLY, our final suitcase arrived last night, with Zack's swim vest! Just in time.