This blog wouldn't be 'my side of the story' if I didn't write about the hard, negative experiences, as well as the enjoyable adventures. I will be honest that this past week was tough. As it's always rough trying to adapt to a new culture, but it's even harder in any culture when problems arise and there is no easy answer to solve the problem.
Saturday, I woke up itching. My neck and head looked like I was covered with poison ivy. Only problem is poison ivy does not exist here, so it meant it was some other type of allergy. I was a little concerned because I had no clue what caused it, so I went to see a doctor.
The doctor checked my itch and thought it was fine and it would go away soon. But Sunday my 'poison ivy' / mystery allergy spread and now covered me from head to toe. I went back to the doctor and she determined that I was allergic to nickle and metals. I somehow overnight became allergic to my glasses, watch, necklace, earrings, wedding ring, and metal bed. After contact with these items my system went crazy and I became allergic to everything else too.
From Sunday through Wednesday the doctor ordered me not to touch any metals, chemicals or use any soaps. This was pretty hard to do. My bed is a big metal frame with a big metal head board, which I found out that I was very allergic too and had to switch to sleeping on the couch. I couldn't wear my glasses, watch, or jewelry. No washing dishes or even cooking as the pots and pans are all metal. All of the door handles and locks are metal, the window locks are metal. I can keep going, but you get the point, that almost everything in my apartment is metal.
Ben has been such a good husband by taking care of me, cooking for me, doing dishes, and especially by hiding all of the bars of soap that I'm so tempted to use! But he came down with the flu this past weekend as well.
Today things were looking a little bit better, as I woke up and most of the allergy has gone away. I have an itch here and there still, but I look normal again, instead of like a teenager with a bad case of acne.
Just as things were looking better, our water boiler broke, which means no heat and no hot water. A pump in the boiler box broke and the estimate to replace this part is expensive (about two months rent). If we don't fix this then once it gets cold the pipes will freeze and it will be a bigger mess. If we move out and the pipes freeze we still would be responsible for the damage (this happened to a friend here). The tenant is responsible for everything. The landlord provides an empty apartment and the tenant is responsible for furnishing everything including installing a toilet, kitchen counters, sinks, tubs, heaters, floors, doors, etc. What makes it even worse is that we just moved into the apartment a month ago as a temporary arrangement and plan on moving out next month to a permanent apartment.
It's tough when situations come up and you have no control over it. I have no choice but to patiently wait out my allergy. And now I will have to pay for the water boiler in hopes that whoever the next tenant is will appreciate the hot water.
So that's me complaining. But I'm sure sunny days are ahead, because besides these unfortunate events we still are enjoying living here.
