Lights out!

Electricity here in the Dominican Republic is a luxury, not a right. It has been by far the most frustrating part of our whole trip, with mosquito attacks coming in at second place. For whatever reason, the electicity cuts out at random times throughout the day and night. There is no warning and the amount of time it is out is unknown. My absolute only complaint about my entire adventure is that I was not made aware that the condo that I would be renting had a schedule for the generator. Meaning that whenever town power went out the generator would only kick on during certain times. From 10am to 6pm if there is no town electricity, there is also no condo electricity. Electricity also powers the water pump, so no power also means no water. After several rounds with the condo administrator and talks with local folks that ‘that is just the way it is’, I accepted the 10-6 schedule. However I was real annoyed that I was never told that this amazing condo with all its splendor only supplied power during certain hours. This morning the administrator made the big mistake of turning the generator off at 9am. My laundry was in the middle of its cycle and I had yet to take a shower. One thing I have learned here is that you have to raise hell before anyone will listen to you. That means you have to yell loud and say the same thing over and over. Being passive will get you nowhere and people will only take advantage of you. Up until this morning, I have been more than patient and tolerant and the maintenance folks and administrator know that and have taken advantage of that. I have also had a huge language barrier to express my point so I have just accepted the B.S. But this morning, I had had enough. In my best Spanish, I went outside and starting yelling as loud as I could that it was not time for them to cut the power. Rather shocked at my tone, the administrator tried to tell me that the generator had been running for a long time and that it needed to rest. I went on to say that I did not care and that it was not time. I was shaking and on the verge of tears as I had not felt that much anger in a long time, since life for us has been so relaxing. Imagine my surprise when my fit of anger actually worked. He walked back to the machine and turned it back on. I was so proud of myself. I did it! I yelled at a grown man in Spanish and he complied! I think I like this yelling is Spanish to get my way. I only wish I had started my yelling sooner.