Water Savers

Water, it is supposed to be a common good. Either we have plenty, that is, for those of us that live in first world countries, or we ALL don't have any. The latter obviously for those in the so called third world countries. Basic idea is to share whatever water we have. Right? Nope, wrong. Totally wrong. Agreed, first world countries have all the water they need, and again agreed third world countries have no water at all. But what about those second world countries, the countries no one talks about, the countries that, in our case, give water to those that have it all the time and keep it from their own citizens?

Obviously I'm talking about our own area. At this time the main switches of the watersupply are turned on every 3 to 4 days. Now, you can go to the town council and ask for a program that 'll state exactly when water will be available at your home. Of course this leaflet shouldn't be taken too seriously, most of the time it is incorrect, some homes haven't seen water for 10 days in a row, but at least it is a piece of paper that you can hold on too, a form of fictional support. Don't get your hopes up too high, complaining when the program is off hasn't helped anyone I know yet.

Ok, so there is no water. And I guess it is understandable that water goes to the tourist industry first, they are after all our daily bread. So, yes, they need to take showers and they need to swim in a clean pool. And yes they need to be able to flush down their daily waste. But can anyone explain to me why they need their tennis courts watered 3 times a day? Anyone with half a brain realizes that in this heat one does not play tennis. Or can anyone explain to me why tourists need to walk on bright green, daily watered grass? They have that in their own countries because of the rain they can't stand and try to avoid by coming to Crete. Why in the name of sanity do we want to remind them of home AND waste our precious water on it...... it puzzles me deeply. But then again, I am not one to linger on the why's for very long, I'ld rather find solutions. So except for the normal water saving routines and tips we all know by heart, I've tried to come up with a few creative tips to help you, my fellow citizen, save some water. Some are a bit yucky but hey, desperate times ask for desperate measures.

1.Turn on your airco and put a bucket underneath. Invite lots of people over to sit and sweat with you. Guaranteed you have enough after a couple of hours to do your laundry with.
2.'Borrow' the buckets outside of neighbouring hotels, those airco's go 24/7, you can use the water to wash your car, your windows and mop your floor. (Please do return buckets, only borrow the water)
3.Take your own showers at the beach or neighbouring hotels. There are showers available everywhere outside and they always seem to have plenty of water. Do not be embarrassed about shampoos and conditioners, believe me, you are not the only one!
4.If times get real rough, gather your own pee to flush bigger waste, a bottle of chlorine straight after will take care of the smell!

With a bit of luck it 'll rain this month, till then I wish you courage and patience.

God loves me!

So, we went camping in Matala a couple of weeks ago. This may not be something world shocking to you but it was to me since it was my first time ever! Before that memorable weekend I had never ever really camped out before. I can faintly remember spending a weekend with one of my schoolfriends back in the seventies on a camp site but I don't really think it counts since their 'tent' had 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, fully operating shower, kitchen, dining room including table. They were connected to the sewer system and, it being in Holland may I remind you, I could even throw my toiletpaper in the toilet. Looking back its basically all been downhill since then, but that's a whole different subject.

I was really excited, you know. Imagine a 4 day break in high season with my favorite bikes (all Harley's) my favorite music (all rock) and camping out! I had decided that someone up there must really like me.
Now, as you all know, I have a partner that helps me out in the house a lot (again this shows someone up there likes me). The only times we argue about that is when he does some washing since he throws all colours together. The night before our Matala departure I got fantastic pay-back, I am convinced, from The Lord himself.

My sweetheart showed me his 4 shirts he had decided to bring to this rough, rugged 1st Cretan Biker Run Hells Angels supported event with a sad little boy look on his face. They were all pink. Just let that one sink in for a second...... Armed with a bottle of chlorine I whitened his shirts trying to save hime from the embarrassment of being the only pink dude amidst hundreds of skull and bone wearing bikers, all the while tears streaming down my face with laughter. Reds just don't go with whites baby!! By now you gotta agree someone up there seriously fancies me.

We didn't really have a tent, so there was not a lot to set up when we got there, but I busied myself with making our beds in the minibus, our home away from home. As soon as I was done I checked out the camping grounds and had to go back to our bus with a devastating anouncement. 'Guys' I yelled 'I dont know bout this camping thing, I haven't found any showers and I just peed in a hole' Honestly I wasn't happy at that particular moment, not at all. But, tada, next morning my knight in shining armour took me to some real clean bathrooms and showers WITH hot water, from then on I became a camping buff. Pro at sleeping on a tiny backseat and pro at changing clothes on 50 square centimeters. I am now so confident that I will even bring a little gasburner next time, to make some coffee or fry an egg or whatever it is they do.

The whole weekend was a smash and we thank all the guys from The Cretan Harley Davidson Club for their hospitality, we'll be there again next year.
And now back home, while I'm writing this column a voice from the bathroom shouts 'Babe, can purple go in with denim?' and I know, for sure, God loves me!