Image by Dvortygirl via Flickr

HIT OR MISS SHOWERS- LOITIKTOK 1

It was an experience one time but, lately it’s the norm and it tickles me every time.

First, in Machakos, then  now, in Loitoktok.

Loitoktok is quite a dusty little town. It’s really big actually- only the town aspect of it is small. It’s filled with humble people who are mainly herders. It’s a town four hours away from Nairobi. It’s a village town with only one television station but, that’s not the only interesting thing.

Being a small town everyone knows everyone, as visitors we stuck out like sore thumbs. We first arrived at the destined hotel after hours of nothing but grassland and Savanah. The other visitors were donkeys from a neighbouring town, stubborn donkeys I might add. Then again was there ever a donkey that was not stubborn? These ones are a bit ‘special’, they ‘catwalk’ on the tarmac! It is expected, considering an average of five cars on the road per day. They are not used to being hooted at to get off the road, so when they do, they happily strut their stuff.

We checked into the hotel rooms. Quaint, quiet and private, I expected nothing more. Settling down as we all know requires a nice refreshing hot shower. Now I think in every little lodge or motel I’ve been to, i have come to appreciate the effort made to offer guests the comfort of a hot bath.In these parts where water is scarce, rain is rare and electricity a luxury, a hot bath is precious. Since, hot-water heaters are expensive; instant-showers are the in-thing. Love them, never take them for granted! Until…

I stood underneath the shower, water jetting all over in all directions and I realized… I’m still freezing! Its twelve degrees outside so, I really need the affection of hot water on my body but, Nada!  I’d gotten it all wrong! There’s a science to it.

Otherwise, how would you explain, every corner of the bathroom wet, a pool forming beneath me but, every inch of my skin as dry as yesterday’s newspaper! So, here’s the trick, get your head out, tilt your body away from your head and viola! You can get clean now.

If you find this too cumbersome, try dancing while you rinse. A word to the wise, try not to miss the jets of water streaming out powerfully from the shower-head holes as you rinse. It’s silly I agree, but fun! Or else, your bathroom tiles will be wet , with a pool under your bed but  you body  as dry as a desert bone. Or better yet, some parts of you clean, others, dry and bumpy with goose pimples from the cold.

Trust me!