Broken Hot Water Heater

by Meg Stout
(Northern Virginia)

When I was young, I spent several months volunteering in Florence, Italy with three other women. Italy has running water, but our apartment water heater was broken.

During the (multi-week, winter) time the heater remained broken, we eventually happened on a way to function. We'd boil a pot of water on the propane stove, take the pot into the bathroom, and use a pitcher to mix portions of the boiling water with cold water from the tap. Pour over head, lather, rinse and repeat.

We'd do something similar for washing the dishes. And life went on.

Eventually the heater was repaired, and we were thrilled. But it was nice being able to enjoy warm showers during the weeks/months when the heater was broken.