Taking a shower

A hot shower is a luxury in Guatemala, particularly in Xela. It is very uncommon for houses and even hotels to have a hot water heater. Most places that have hot water have a small heater attached to the showerhead. It is gerry-rigged to the electricity in the light. Yeah, it is a little strange to see wires hanging from the showerhead to the light. When the heater is on the light dims. It can be very tricky to turn it on. The heater heats the water as it comes through the pipe. The less you turn the water on, the easier it is for the heater to work. You have to find the perfect spot that allows enough flow and is still warm.
I use the term hot water very generously. It is enough hint of warm to sustain disbelief about the fact that the shower is actually cold. The water contains just enough trace of warm to prevent one from screaming and running back to bed.
Taking a shower involves a complicated dance. You have to quickly move your shoulders back and forth because the minute one part of your body is out of the water, it gets cold fast. (It is important to note that I am staying a city in the highlands. It is very cold at night and in the morning!) If you move fast enough, the water is relatively evenly distributed over your body and the exercise keeps you a little warm. You must clean yourself as fast as possible so you don't get too cold.
Of course there is not much water pressure. It is like if I took a shower at home with the washing machine, the dish washer, the spinklers, the jacuzzi, the two other showers and all six sinks on the property all running at once. (The fact that it is actually feasible that I would use all this water at one time may have something to do with the water shortage here in Guatemala. There is some perspective for you.)

What is striking about this diatribe is that this barely-above-freezing shower is a luxury. It is a luxury just to have running water. I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining, because in reality I am very grateful for the fact that I am able to take a shower while I am here.

It is amazing what we take for granted. I wonder how many gallons of clean water I waste every week in the US? We Americans are amazingly wealthy even in the most minute aspects of our lives. It is a privilege and I think we need to acknowledge that with gratefulness and generosity. Really enjoy your hot shower tomorrow morning, and maybe get out a few minutes sooner on account of those of us in Guatemala.