Daily Blackout

I haven't had a "culture shock" moment since I arrived, but the power cut may be the first big adjustment. Now the planned blackout, what they call locally "load shedding" is 13 hours per day, and it is expected to go as long as 16 or 18 hours per day in a near future. 

My electricity experience was not nearly as bad in Malawi or Guyana. 

I walked home from work today just after 6, and it was pitch-dark. I needed a flashlight just to see what I was stepping on and also to be visible to cars, motorbikes and bicycles. As for the security.... I am not trying not to think about it (it is ok but the crime rate has gone up apparently. I am being careful). 

As a partial remedy to the "load shedding", I have installed something called an "inverter" in the new apartment. It is a device to store electricity when the power is on. Once the power is cut, a few lights and appliances can run on a huge battery (attached to the inverter) for three or four hours. Well, you always learn something new when you move to a new country :) This whole system costs about $400 Canadian, and it is by no means cheap. Only handful of wealthy local people and expats can afford it. I spent two afternoons with an electrician and the landlady to put in the system, so that I would not have to live in a total darkness.

I will see how this will work or not work after I move in a few days.