Aqua has no water.
For 36 hours now.
About ten minutes ago the pipes gurgled and the battle cry “FLUSH – NOW” echoed between the Aqua luxury condos. As a result of over-enthusiastic flushing the water is off again, unable to instantly flood, what? 2000, 3000? 4000? toilets.
How many toilets between 51st and 63rd Street one wonders, how many dishwashers? How many sinks, showers and washing machines?
We just showered at our friend’s house. She’s away skiing. We fought over who’d get in first. I lost. I got last but longest. While waiting I remembered going camping, I did this a lot when I was a teen, and being everso grateful to be home as if the only satisfaction of being one with nature for days on end was the ensuing luxury of standing under warm running water until the hot ran out.
Yesterday, while I was having a swim ( yes there was still clean water in the Aqua pool), a women hunched by my side, and, while avoiding eye contact , filled two gallon-flasks. Stealing water from the pool! Really, how third world is that? That’s one tea party I do not want to be invited to (actually I can name a few others).
“Soon,” they tell us. “We’re working on it,” they say. “Divers have been in the water since four this morning,” they assure me. Divers? How? Really? Where there are divers there is water! Aqua super heros!
Mommy, I hear a diver in the pipe! Aaaahh, good sweetie, things will soon back to normal…
Turns out our water pipes run under water, like along Indian Creek. Thats why, this morning on my way to get bottled water at Publix, I saw that confused crew of guys in fluorescent gear and flippers poring over a map, while leaning against a small shabby boat on a City of Miami Beach trailer.
Eventually all becomes clear.
Meanwhile they’ve promised us Porta-potties. Whooppee!
as per e-mail:
” In the interim, we are working on providing portable toilet services for the community.”
See?
This means that, I, Barbi, get to stand on line with the CEO of Mattress World and also mega property developers, drug dealers, porn kings and stars, famous DJ’s, bratty cokehead children of Russian billionaires, a gaggle of trophy wives with implants (Brazilian butt and breast), that MOSSAD lieutenant who flies the Israeli flag, droves of gay interior designers holding their noses, real estate agents, etc etc. Think about it, what a perfect networking opportunity !
Meanwhile one learns from these “trying” situations. First off: I learned that Iona has a nervous breakdown when she’s unable to shower for 24 hours, and will refuse to leave the house. I also learned that the twins couldn’t care less. I learned that my hair is best hidden after 36 hours, but that husband, when I wear head scarf, will let me know that he doesn’t dig my “chemo” look.
Fuck off! I said and also learned that my sense of humor, like the water, has run dry.
better times, the days of plenty….
satisfying results when operating jacuzzi
Leila?
Kiki?
Love in Time of Corona 
March 28, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Hope you are charming the scuba fixer. Here in New Paltz we have a different problem. City water. Tastes like public pool water in New York in August. Undrinkable. It wrecks clothes, hair, and skin. Solution: wear pretty much same junky clothes and only wash those. But my beautiful fluffy African blanket, thick and soft is now a thin, coarse and stiff version of the original. Hell with this. We are going to where the water is good.
March 28, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Heyyy! Can I come visit? Love that dry humor.
March 29, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Bubble baths can be a blast, pool water can make due in a pinch, head scarf aside – at least he noticed! Seriously, veteran Miami residents (20+ years) know full well how delicate is the tight rope between first and third worlds. Since hurricane Andrew and the many other “make do” opportunities, we have come to learn that living in Paradise can be entertaining to say the least and keeps your survival skills honed and your humor in check! Water is an endangered natural resource and like most precious commodities, one doesn’t realize until it’s been taken away.
June 29, 2011 at 11:08 am
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!