Land of Choices

South Africa is certainly a land of choices! It used to be that when a kid woke up in the morning (on a non-school day), it was a case of "What am I going to do today?" But now, there are so many choices to make!

The new early morning greeting is: "Is there 'lectricity?"

The answer is not Yes or No, because this is NOW, not five minutes ago. It's: "Hang on, I'll check .......yes, there is."

"Okay, then I'll bath now and wash my hair, 'cause I can blow dry it.... Please boil the kettle for some coffee! Oh ... how long has it been on?

"It's been on since I've been up, so you'd better hurry if you want to still use the hair drier."

"Okay ... where's the charger, where's the charger? I must charge my cell phone!"

Of course, if the answer was No, the choices are different.

"Who bathed? Is there still hot water?"
"Seems to be, but you'd better watch it carefully. Juice or milk?"
"Juice. Where's my gel? I can't wash my hair!"
"Unless you wait four hours ...."
"Decisions, decisions......"

Should I go to the bank, or should I phone first and check that they have power? CAN I phone - how's my battery? Do I use the elevator, or the staircase? If the power came on recently, chances are that I can ride. If it's been on for quite a while, too risky.

Last night, while I was watching the television news at 7pm, she nipped down to a friend's flat for a few minutes. She'd hardly left the flat when the power went off. My immediate fear was that she might be stuck in the elevator. I phoned immediately.

"Hi, where are you?"

"I've only just left you!" she said exasperated. "what do you think I'm up to? I'm rolling a joint, swigging a vodka and talking to strangers!"

"Oh, okay, Sweetie, as long as you're not in the lift ......"