Let’s start with the water.  We know it is important.  We tell our students so every year.  We know we need it to stay alive. We are happy to have it but we really don’t give it much thought.  We walk to any number of sinks, turn it on, and there it is. Clean, fresh, cold, hot. Instantaneous.

Not always.

I have become much more aware of drinking water in the last 5 weeks.  The tap water in Indonesia is generally not potable. Like most people, I use a water cooler.  I have learned to watch my water supply very closely and try to anticipate when it will run out.  When my bottle runs out, I get a new one from the Circle K in the lobby for 30,000 rupiah (about $2.50 US).  Sometimes.

Sometimes, (in the beginning) I didn’t pay attention and ran out suddenly.

Sometimes, I was really busy for a couple of days and couldn’t get to the store to order a new one delivered.  Or, I couldn’t get there in time and had to wait for the next day (This apartment is comprised of two 40 story towers.  The water guy only delivers once a day.).

Sometimes, the store is out of water and they are waiting for a delivery.  Deliveries get here when they get here.  Could be a day, could be a week.

This time, I have been out of water for a week and a half.  When this happens I have to pay extra attention because I have to buy regular bottled water.

If you run out of water in the evening, after the store closes, you are stuck.  Worse than not having drinking water, which is pretty inconvenient, and makes you even thirstier, is the fact that YOU WILL NOT HAVE COFFEE in the morning. This should be avoided in any country.

On a serious note, even when I am out of water I am so much more fortunate that most people in the world, and even people in my own town.  There are people here who do not have running water or electricity/money for a water cooler.  The rivers here in the city are beyond polluted. For the thousands of people here without adequate resources, getting clean water is an ordeal.

So next time you run to the kitchen sink turn on the water and fill a glass, just say a little thank you to whoever you believe runs the universe that you live in a country with clean drinking water.  I know I will never take that for granted again.

NOW…….FOR THE BREAD!!!!!!

I want to share one of the most amazing fashion displays EVER.  Yes, it is all BREAD!!!  Amazing!!