Life in Makana

Saturday 23 August
17:30
Take a long, hot shower in preparation for a night out.

19:00
Friend arrives for predrinks. I realise for the first time that there is no water coming out of my taps. No matter - we shall drink vodka!

00:00
Arrive home from failed night out. Discover that there's still no water. Vodka is starting to have a dehydrating effect. Go to bed feeling thirsty.

Sunday 24 August
02:00
Wake up feeling nauseous. Hurry to bathroom. Realise that water is still out and I will not be able to flush the toilet. Resist the urge to throw up. Swear never to drink vodka again.

08:00
Wake up far too early, smelling like Friars. Still no water. Make breakfast for self and friend, but cannot wash dishes. Also can't shower or brush teeth. Hangover is not helping.

10:00
Convince boyfriend to let me shower at his place.

10:01
Realise that people in house downstairs have put out buckets to catch the rain. Decide to copy them. Loads of buckets placed around the garden in the pouring rain.

11:00
Shower at boyfriend's flat. Feel delightfully clean.

15:00
Water, water everywhere except in the pipes. Use a bucket of rainwater to flush the toilet. Flat suddenly smells more pleasant.

22:00
Boyfriend's flat no longer has water. Mad rush to BP to buy 5l bottles.

Monday 25 August
07:00
Unpleasant bath in sink with cold water from plastic bottle. Unhappy Tayla.

13:30
Flush toilet with rainwater again. Beginning to run out. This is concerning.

19:00
Make supper at boyfriend's flat. Can't wash up. Beginning to run out of dishes.

Tuesday 26 August
07:30
Decide to be clever and heat water in kettle. Accidentally overheat water. Stand around for a while waiting for water to cool down enough to touch. Second bath with plastic bottles.

17:00
Boyfriend has water again! Much rejoicing and a long, hot shower (by myself...minds out of the gutter, people.)

Wednesday 27 August
10:00
Water is back in my flat! Flush the toilet with clean water. Much rejoicing.

17:00
Hot shower. Happy Tayla.

Thursday 28 August
08:30
Friend warns me that their water has gone off again.

11:00
Fill up several bottles with water. Manage to get about 7l before tap runs dry again.

17:30
Lights begin to flicker ominously while making supper.

17:45
Power is tripping every 5 seconds. Feel like I'm at a cheap disco. Supper is ruined. Give up, switch power off at mains, and call boyfriend to come and save me.

21:00
Shower at boyfriend's flat. Feel sorry for myself and my lack of water and electricity.

Friday 29 August
10:00
Water is back but now have no power whatsoever. Electrician is summoned.

11:20
Electrician examines meter and tells me that it's faulty. Calls municipality. Cannot get box replaced because of strike over water issue. Electrician tells me that the earliest he can sort out a temporary fix is Monday. I now have water but no electricity.

11:25
Electrician leaves. Brief emotional breakdown.

15:00
Tell Grahamstown to stick it where the sun don't shine and decide to leave for the weekend.