My younger brother came in from his Yeshiva in Israel to spend Pesach with us.
As he was passing out on his bed after his arrival, I told him to shower and then go to bed. Bro delivers this gem:
"Achi, yesh Mayim Chamim?" (Translation: Brother, is there hot water?)
I laughed.
To an American, this question makes no sense. Why wouldn't there be hot water? But to an Israeli, it makes perfect sense.
In Israel, hot water is heated mostly by using solar panels. If its a cloudy day or the small tank of solar heated water runs out, one must flip a switch and wait 15-20 minutes for the water to be heated by electrical means.
However, here in the US, we use natural gas or oil to warm the water and so there is always hot water on tap.
So my brother's question is unique to an Israeli's viewpoint.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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8 comments:
Not strictly unique. You must see some Paris flats...
Usually tourists are spared the trouble, but I could tell you stories would chill your blood.
B"H
Fortunately, I have a real solar water heater, and I don't pay a sheqqel for heating water generally from late March through early, if not late, November.
Not sure why no one in the cities seem to have these.
Oh, and you can tell your brother that I am offended that he didn't pop by to visit. After all, he's practically just "up the road" from me.
;-}
good thing your bro went home for pesach. it brought you out of hibernation..
Wow.
In Russia, 20 year ago, we had hot water! As long as I remember we had hot water. We had a black and white TV and didn't have a phone at first, I think, but we did have hot water. Electricity too.
Solar panels are becoming more popular -- I knew a few people in Hawaii that had them, but the sun is probably out more often :)
Hai
the story is interesting
pls visit thoufeekzak.blogspot.com the blog of mine an indian muslim who does hebrew calligraphy
though its crazy, that is how it works. if we forget to turn on the hot water switch, then the 1st person to take a shower will have hot water, but the rest will not. The moral is: dont be selfish, think of others besides yourself. I LOVE how america works though.
Funny. I will probably have the same experience when I visit the US next year.
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