It just isn't one of those things you think about. Your parents might have mentioned the unfairness of life, your pastor might have preached on the dangers of unchecked evil, you might even be a boy scout. You will not be prepared. But you shouldn't feel bad about that, there is nothing that can prepare you for coming home at 3am to a toilet that is boiling over on to the floor.

Boiling.

Now, despite being a little tipsy, Mike actually was a boy scout, so, upon comprehending that hot water, having melted through the plastic tank, now covered our entire bathroom floor, he leapt in to action. Within seconds, everything within reach that he thought to be dry and absorbent was on the floor, soaking wet. Boy scout logic was flying thick and fast. Towels, clothing, underwear, q-tips, it didn't matter, this was a disaster. Innocently dry objects were thrown in to service without warning.

It was at this point that someone - I think Roni - remembered the basic reality of plumbing that had somehow managed to escape our collective attention: never try to fix a problem while the water is still running. You will fail, becoming drenched in the process. Crucial insight, but these particular pipes (in their quaint, provincial, Italian way) could not be turned off. We looked everywhere, but all of he essential valves either didn't exist or had been plastered in to the wall a long time ago.

Forty five minutes later, things were forty five times worse. Water was everywhere, the three of us were soaking wet, it was 4am, and we had somehow made a NEW hole in another tube created a little fountain behind the washing machine. The decision was made to call Antonio, who lives downstairs. Antonio owns the apartment. Poor Antonio. After briefly assessing how much damage the Americans had managed to inflict on his home this time, he opted for a quick solution. Turn off the power to the entire compound–five apartments in all. He did, it stopped, and we all went to bed. Christ.

Update: the plumber came, and it was discovered that there was a huge buildup of somethingorather inside the tank. He also said that we were lucky it didn't blow up.

Lucky us.

Comments

Alejandro
HAHAHAHAHA Nate you have an amazing way of telling stories, i had heard this 4 times before reading your blog and its actually funnier when you write it LMAO!!! cant wait to see them pics.

Kait
now why must we wait for the pictures

marissa
nooooooo! i wanna see pictures! :)