"Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink"

I realise that I have not written about a very large part of our lives, so this post is to make amends. Our domestic routine is measured in water units: one bucket to flush the loo, half a bucket to boil a kettle for washing up, two buckets to wash clothes and one bucket to wash ourselves.
We do have taps, and for a golden fortnight there was water surging through them, but since then, nothing. After 6 weeks we asked for the pipe to be repaired but the Tanzanian sense of urgency has prevailed! Actually, I'm not too bothered (it outweighs the unexpected opportunities for luxury) but the novelty does wear off when all four of us need to do a load of washing and showering. Consequently, I smell..!
This is how the collection routine works: we go to the mountain stream in the forest about 200 yards away with a bucket and 5l bottle each. We jump over the stagnant water to the trickle running through the rocks from Mt Meru where we scoop water into the various receptacles and pass them back to the path. One of us invariably slips over on the mud - my turn today! Alas poor dignity, I knew it well! We scramble up the bank taking care not to spill any of our precious load and waddle back to the house. Last week, two girls my age taught me how to carry a full bucket on my head. I love it - cue Mama Africa! I'm practising so that by the time I leave I can do it with no hands.
We actually find it easier when we've had a string of dry days; ironically rain is a nightmare! When it's dry the water is clear, when it is wet the water is murky. We have to leave the buckets for about an hour so that the mud sinks to the bottom and we are able to start the purification process.
Pippa has a whizzy pump that is our main form of purification. Disaster struck though when the filter broke so we had about 3 weeks of boiling for 10 minutes, or filtering through a clean t-shirt before adding iodine drops (that taste foul, by the way). Eventually a brand new pump arrived by courier from Nairobi - her dad sent a snotty e-mail to the manufacturer.
I have a clever bottle that I use a lot (despite the fact that you need a degree in order to screw the top on so that it does not leak). You fill it with dirty water, attempt to put the lid on that has a filter, shake it vigorously so that the iodine drops into it. After 15 minutes you can start drinking - it has to go through the filter to reach your mouth so you get a double whammy. The teachers are fascinated by it!
On average, we have to do about 3 trips a days of 3 buckets and 3 bottles. The kids are a great help during the school day, even if you do have to bribe them with stickers.
So that is that. I will do some more 'features' on other nitty-gritty aspects of life that I don't often write about. Hope this helps to give you more of an idea about daily life in the Sekei household. Next time you run a bath, think of me!
Lxxx