Power Outage

I have a new favorite thing: the power going out.

Its not for the whole city, only on the street with my office (sidenote-that street used to be my least fav in all of Hanoi, it was SO bumpy and muddy and HORRIBLE for bike riding or walking or anything. BUT! Recently it was PAVED. Now when I get to that street in the mornings it is such a joy!). This seems to happen fairly frequently here. It isn't the government regulating electricity use like in so many other countries, or even a lack of power resources, so I haven't quite figured out what it is. It might be constuction related. But somehow the Chi Oanh, administrative woman at the office, can call someone and find out exactly how long it will be off. It's strange. It also is one of those things that reminds me that I'm not in the US. Sometimes that is easy to forget.

But it made today so much more interesting! Instead of working in the office I got to come to a cafe. I was working on a report that had to be finished as soon as possible, so I was encouraged to leave and work somewhere else. The power came back at noon, but I decided I might as well stay out the entire day. I got to go downtown and eat lunch with Calah and Hannah, and then just chill here, with my iced coffee, music and free wireless. And of course my MCC project report. What a lovely afternoon!

I realize that if this happened all the time it would definitely make life more difficult and I do not envy those who deal with this issue on a regular basis. Structurally it probably isn't a very good thing for a society.. But selfishly, I appreciate a little excitment in life every once in a while :)