I wrote a post awhile ago about keeping warm here in Kathmandu in the winter. I think it takes awhile to build up your arsenal of defenses and to know what works or helps. We are chipping away at it. The worst of the cold is actually past, it would seem, but we'll be ready come next year!
We have added to our supply of hot water bottles, and we fill up three every night--one for Isaiah for his bed and two for John and my bed.
After I wrote the earlier post, John bought this really nice electric space heater. The other one I posted is just so bright and barely warms up anything beyond the immediate foot in front of it. We moved that one into Isaiah's room since he is a sounder sleeper, and this new one, which is little and not bright and absolutely amazing is in Ezekiel's room. It was a splurge, but it works really well...when we have electricity, which is now only 10 hours per day total, though most of that actually is at night. We saw a BIG jump in our electric bill, which we assume is from this little puppy, so we have to weigh that, but it really does make Zeke's room feel nice when it's on!
We had been holding off and not purchasing one of the big gas heaters here, but we finally broke down and bought one. They are so big and not remotely up to safety standards we think of, but you don't have to deal with electricity issues, and they really heat up a room! We can't leave it on while we sleep because of the safety hazards, but we've been using it in the evenings, and it makes it much more pleasant! It did seem sort of silly to buy one at this point in the season, but now we have it for next year, and we actually got it on sale (I guess because it is late in the season)! Should have taken a picture while it was lit. It actually does have the dual function to run on electricity as well, if you want. The back view shows you the full effect of the safety hazard with our gas tank setting in there!
We also added two more of the big fuzzy "Chinese blankets" to our collection. We actually found some smaller child-size ones at a department store, and while it seemed hard to top, the kids' ones were even more hideous than the full-size ones. This is the tamest one I could find. Most have an odd combo of pastels and bright colors with creepy babies and/or distorted Disneylike characters on them.
I actually added a second one to our bed (mostly because I was waking up with no blanket on me frequently thanks to a cover stealer!), and I found a solid brown one! Excellent find, in my opinion (though John was underwhelmed)!
We also continue to bundle up in a ridiculous amount of clothes. Here is what I'm putting on Ezekiel for the night tonight.
And, here are some fantastic new pants that I got in a package from my parents! They are much brighter than my usual tastes, but somehow with the cold here, they kind of make me feel happy! There is also a cup of apple cider in my hand, thanks to a care package from good friends Tom and Alana, and I'm wearing a GREAT and comfy pair of slippers that were sent for Christmas from my parents. We are well cared for!
The cider is a treat, but warm beverages are a key part of my existence here. I have never drunk so much tea in my entire life!
And, last but definitely not least, I don't think I included a picture of this in my last post, but it is the highlight of my day--our hot water geiser! It is a gas heater for our water, so we can take hot showers! It makes me happy and takes every ounce of self-control I have to shut it off at the end of a shower in the morning.
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