If it's not one thing....

One thing we have learned to accept about living in Manaus is that nothing ever works out in the most simple way. Barely a day goes by that we don't look at each other and say, "How Manausian!" about one thing or another. A year into our life south of the equator, I am proud to say we have learned to adopt attitudes that allow us to get over any bumps in an instant (or two!)
Last week really seemed to present us with more than a normal share of 'if it's not one thing, it's another' situations. Before Jay took his vacation in the states this summer, we heard about a friend of a friend who was moving and selling her 12000 BTU wall air conditioner. We jumped on board right away because there is no central air anywhere here, and our 2 ac's were just not cutting it. Fast forward to last week when we had to hire an electrician to come change the voltage in the wall since, of course, the ac wouldn't turn on properly, and we had yet to be able to use it. OK, no biggie. The guy came, didn't have the proper tools, came back the next day as promised and did a great job. Just when we start thinking this seems too easy, we realize that we've spent several hundred reais on a big fan that blows hot air! Not so pleasant when it's more than 100 degrees outside with 85% humidity. With the help of some friends, we found an ac maintenance company that came out to take a look at the unit, and after dropping some more reais, we now have a relatively cool 2nd bedroom. Now we're looking forward to their return next week when they clean and repair our other 2 units. Hopefully our days of wiping away sweat while lounging on the couch and watching tv are almost over!
Another one of those 'one things or another' this week was not having working internet or computer at home. The crappy internet service is something we have resigned ourselves to accept, but it gets especially frustrating when you're in the middle of a skype call with family and the connection suddenly drops. Not just once or twice either. We're talking like 5 or 6 times in a span of only 10 minutes! When Jay's computer just wouldn't turn on one afternoon this week, we were quick to remind ourselves that this stuff seems to happen here. Luckily for us, one week and many attempts to turn it on later, we are able to use it again. And the internet is even working well now, too!
How very UnManausian....