Balti Baths and Beyond

Balti baths are the way to go. I've been here for five days and every single time I've taken a shower using a balti (bucket). And for those who would look down and call my actions the livings of and in a third world country, let it be know that I love balti baths.

I'm a conservationist by nature, a tree hugger, an environmentalist. Balti baths are water-efficient, a scarce resource in this world of ours where scholars have suggested that the next world war will be fought over water. It's simple, mix hot water with cold and scoop it out with a mug and pour over yourself. You save so much water than standing under a showerhead for minutes on end (which is what my elder brother does, in Albuquerque as well as when he's here in Karachi).

We're one of the lucky few. We get running water in our taps and our gas generator can run for hours providing electricity for all of our appliances and electric sockets. But I prefer to live like the common people and do what the common people do. I don't mind stumbling around in the dark. Or not being a shower singer while water douses me.

I've also come down with a sore throat which is making my eyes swell and making me lethargic. Our local homegrown solution in the form of Johar Joshanda is not helping. I've been having countless cups of tea mixed with it but yet my sore throat remains sore and my cough remains dry. Here's an article by Time Magazine on joshanda and how it's quite effective. I'll recover soon, I know I will. And then I'll run up and down Korangi Road in my wifebeater and shout out to all and sundry that I'm better.

For the latest insight into the loadshedding problem, go to Kal's blog.

So here's the latest update from life in Karachi and how different it is to life in Wash DC. So I guess with the water and electricity problem, I want you all to know that the solution lies in balti baths and beyond.

PS: It's a play of words on Bed Bath and Beyond in case anyone missed that.