As one can imagine, there are far fewer luxuries in a village than even a town. Besides having only four daily buses (7, 9:30, 11:30, 2:30) to get you to an ATM or café and having very unreliable cell phone reception, it can be downright difficult to get basic services from the county center which is only 15km away. Throughout this snowy season (approaching 5 months strong), the electricity goes out or the water pipes sometimes malfunction in Lesnoye. Usually, it takes about 10 hours or so to fix these problems. On several occurrences, it has taken 36 hours. The serviceman straight out says, “we’ll fix it tomorrow or when the weather gets better.” I’ve gotten used to this. No sweat right, you’re working for the Peace Corps. However, this time around, Lesnoye’s water pipes aren’t working and the Water Man has not come to Lesnoye for six days. Half of Lesnoye lives without running water as is but now the locals are all lining up at the sole functioning water pump. It’s tough without an indoor shower and toilet. Walking to the outhouse in -20C weather while your hands begin to get numb isn’t pleasant. Having to fetch and bring water from the pump against 20mph North Kazakhstan spring snow-winds demands patience( see photo where the Pump is located). I give my respect to locals and those PCVs who live without running water.
Second photo is my Artwork.
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