The director just put a handout in our boxes about the stages of adjusting to a new culture. They are happiness (tourist stage), hostility, humor, and home. Well, I am still loving it here, but I have to say, there are some things that seriously irritate me. It's not the big things, like taking your life in your hands everytime you cross the street or the clerk stalking you in every store. No, it's the great invention called electricity! I cannot tell you how much trouble I have here with all things that plug in. Most of the appliances are made for European homes, so the voltage is correct, but the plugs are too big. So, I go to the store and buy adaptors and a power strip. Problem solved? Oh, no, no, no my friend. That would be EASY! Some of my appliances work with one adaptor, but not the other, but only in certain outlets. Any guesses why? Me either. So today I toasted my waffles in the "room with no purpose" because the outlets in the kitchen don't seem to like my new toaster. I bought the power strip so I could plug in my hairdryer and table lamp at the same time, but again, it doesn't fit in the socket in my bedroom.
Then we get to the air conditioners! I guess I shouldn't complain too much because the living room and bedroom ACs work wonderfully. The AC in the kitchen has a mind of it's own, however! The remote says it's blowing at 70% at 16 C, but every time I try to turn the percentage up, it raises the temperature. 16C should be freezing me out, but instead my kitchen is roasting. Every once in a while the temp changes in 31 (which is 80F ish), so I think that is the true climate of my kitchen. The sad things is....the instructions are all in English!!
I have now conquered the gas stove and oven, which is good. I am about 90% on remembering to turn my water heater on and off. The hot water heater also heats the water for the radiators, so if I forget, the nice, warm, tropical climate in my living room is a good reminder!
Meg and I went to Cham City Center to go shopping yesterday. It's the biggest and nicest shopping center in Damascus. It really is nice too! It has a nice electronic store and supermarket where nobody stalks you as you shop!! There are many clothing stores, but I too busy getting the basics (mixing bowls, vacuum, toaster) to bother with clothing just yet. The mall isn't as adventurous as going to the Souks, but it's much more convenient.
