Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Razlogshki Ingenuity

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this to anyone, but it is cold in Razlog.  People here are wearing their leather jackets and all the roofs have smoke pouring from chimneys... except mine. 
 
I have one of those huge heaters they call "radiators."  The kind that plug into a special contact and look like a big metal storage chest full of bricks, I guess.  It has been in my bedroom.  I only sleep, dress, and do my hair and make up in my bedroom.  That is not very much awake time.  In my other room I cook, work, read, write, study, and watch TV.  It just makes SENSE to put the heater in here. 
 
So my landlord (Stephan) wanted an electrician to come over and look at the contact in the big room.  Three weeks later, our tech teacher came over, said all is peachy.  He sent a couple of miesters (sp??) over to move the incredibly heavy thing.  They came over and brought my dyado landlord up.  Dyado Lachinov says this heater can't heat up the big room.  It heats up the little room quite nicely, but the big room is too cold.  Diana, their last renter, only heated the small bedroom and spent all her time in there, or sleeping downstairs in baba's room.  That's what I should do too.  HUH?
 
Well, I went to school and told the tech teacher what happened and he scolded me for letting them not move it.  Then he and my counterpart had a five-minute private council.  Oh, by the way, yesterday, after the miestri left, they came back with this ghetto scary space heater.  It did a decent job of heating my big room as long as it was constantly going.  How can this big heater not heat my room?  I may have to turn it on a bit early, or let it run a bit past "cheap hours," but...  ah! 
 
SO...  I ran into my director who firmly insisted that I should not be argued with.  She'll send the miestri back over and they will move it!  I had first period today, and no more classes till 5th.  So the miestri came over after first.  It became a family affair.  Baba Zorka came up and helped me move all of the rugs around.  Stephan moved some of the furniture.  The miestri came in with four short pieces of big metal piping and a long wooden dowel.  They proceeded to use the dowel as a lever and put the metal pipe pieces under the heater.  They managed to roll that monster into the big room, turn it around, and put it against the wall. 
 
Then they left.  My flat was a mess!  Pieces of the wall on the floor, furniture all over both rooms, carpets all pulled back.  So I swept the floor, drug the wooden storage chest to the place the heater had been, and put back all of my carpets.  I'm not sure where to put my armchair, so I'm sitting in it, in the middle of my big room. 
 
Today, I am one step closer to being warm!!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Boo!!!!
I love ya and I love to read your postings. I read your postings over and over. I especially liked your August postings. After reading them, I find myself a little homesick---for a place I've never been before. I long for the spokino (Sp?) --that layed back, no rush Bulgarian attitude. BUT then I read today's posting... I do like to be warm and I know how you like to be warm and cozy!!!!!

I am now sitting at my computer with tears rolling down my face onto the desk visualizing you sitting on my couch all snuggled up with toe socks and a warm robe. You've a hot drink in one hand and a book in the other. Your arm is resting on your dog who is nestled up next to you-staring at you with worshipful eyes. We miss you. I miss you and your dog misses you, too.

I wish I could be there to help you clean up the mess that was made while moving this, this...heating unit.

As Vassi said (Posting Oct 2 comment)... "you're perfectly loved, no matter what. You are always held, like a baby, by the Lover of all." That is beautiful.
Settle & Seek Him - I love you so,
Mom

Unknown said...

See, it pays to only have one room!

But in other news, I know you have been having your fair share of uphill experiences sled Krichim...I just wanted to say that you are never alone in your ponderances (is that a word? I suppose Andy would say no!) and your tyrates. He is listening, and we are listening. And zaedno, we will all be a-okay. We will be a-okay, and as strong as any people can be. This is what I tell myself, anyway.

And in conclusion, my favorite Roethke line: I learn by going where I have to go...I have an inkling that our paths include a lot of learning yet. And I say, bring it.

Anonymous said...

Sure makes me appreciate the "lil'thing on the wall that puts heat into all the rooms at the same time"!!!! Love the mouse account.....Here it is rainy, windy and dreary (NO KIDDING!!)Aunt Sally/Uncle Steve left 10/14 to meander towards LaV. Mom is to get me a mailing address for you...maybe a card or pic would be nice??? Luv ya much--Aunt Nanne