Life on the 12th floor has its challenges.
So far, the regular problem has been that the elevator wasn’t working.
This morning, it’s the water. Nothing’s coming out.
I go out onto the balcony to look down at the street. It’s wet in front of some of the houses. As usual in the early morning, cleaning has already been done and the cleaning water has been dumped onto the street.
So, not a general problem that the water supply in our neighborhood has completely failed?
Looking over the roofs, I now realize that, unlike in the Emirates, not every house here has a water tank on the roof.
Now I remember. The last time the elevator wasn’t working again, we went across the roof to the neighboring house to go down from there. There was no water tank on our roof. They saved themselves the trouble.
We are completely dependent on the pump downstairs in the house. Instead of the water tank on the roof, we have these two white ‘balloons’ on the pump that supplies the whole house.
I just learned this from Gemini:
“These white ‘balloons’ are pressure tanks that are essential for water pressure systems. They regulate and maintain pressure, but do not create it. Inside, an air bubble is compressed when water is pumped in. This stored, pressurized water is released when a faucet is opened. The tanks ensure consistent pressure, reduce pump cycling (saving energy and extending pump life), and smooth out pressure fluctuations. Two tanks indicate a higher water demand or a larger system.”
Yes, that’s right Gemini: The two tanks have to supply 12 floors.
I go downstairs (elevator is working) to see if anyone is already taking care of the problem. After all, it’s Ramadan and many people are still sleeping at this time.
Downstairs, I meet our new door keeper or Bawab – بَوَّاب. He only started yesterday.
He is already aware of the problem and busy on the phone. I hope he has everything under control.
I go back upstairs and practice the virtue that I can slowly perfect here: Wait and see – everything will be fine.
In the worst case, we’ll just go to Dokki.
What’s the point of having two apartments? Two is Better Than One.
More about Bawabs can be found here on YouTube.
Image: generated with Gemini (Imagen3)
Ich drücke die Daumen, dass ihr nicht zu lange auf dem Trockenen sitzt. Ihr habt 2 Appartements? Beide in Kairo?
Ja es sind zwei. Eins in Dokki und eins in Al Haram. Ich muss noch den/die Post/s schreiben, wie das ganze entstanden ist.
Uhhps this is on the English version:
Yes we have two apartements. One in Dokki and one in Al Haram. I still have to write the stories about this.
UPDATE
The water is back after a few hours. Turned out the problem was the new bawab. He did not know the system and switched something off.