Laundry Day in the Loo

Saturday, August 8, 2009--approx 3:30pm, Phuket.

This morning I woke around 10am, ready to go to the beach--that was the plan last night, anyway. But, when I went downstairs to the pool, I was informed that everyone decided to stay in Phuket and wait out the rain. Some had already left for the market to get provisions. It's true that it has rained a lot--and unpredictably--the last couple days. One minute, there'll be blue skies, and the next it'll be pouring buckets! Since I haven't been to the beach, yet, I was pretty disappointed.

Knowing me, you might expect that I decided to go anyway, but I won't be doing that alone. Apparently, it's very dangerous for anyone (especially someone from America, because we drive on the wrong side of the road) to drive alone beyond Phuket. There are many scooter accidents on the roads leading to and from the beach. It is especially dangerous for a woman to go alone. Our guest speaker at school yesterday told us about a Swedish woman who had been raped and killed four years ago. She was taking the TEFL course.

Instead of the beach, I decided to catch up on laundry and get a few things done that I've put off for "later." I dug in my closet and sorted the things I'd wash myself, and separated them from the heavier clothes I'd take to "Mama's" laundry (one of many laundry services near the hotel, which washes your clothes and dries them outside). (Mind you, I haven't done laundry since I left the States--Ewwww!) I dodn't want to pay more than 30 THB for a load (they weigh your laundry and charge per kilo, so I'm really just guessing. Oh, a kilo is 2.2 pounds, by the way.), so most of my clothes, I'm going to wash myself.

I tossed the items to wash into the bathtub and turned on the cold water. After dinner last night, I had stopped in the 7-11 with Candice and George, and picked up some laundry detergent, so I sprinkled that in as well. The water got sudsy and dirty at the same time (my cotton ball, too, get filthy when I apply toner on my face and neck. I seem to be perpetually dirty and sweaty). I scrubbed stains with my nail scrubber against the tub, rubbed my clothes together, and lopped each article of clothing over the side.

Seemingly an hour later, I let the water drain and began the rinsing. Ringing out each skirt, tank top, dress, and panty, my hands became extremely sore. Women must have had the strongest hands ever, back in the day!! I think I'll just have to wash more often. Like do my undies and tank tops in the sink every day, or something. This would also save from the whole "splashing water all over the bathroom" problem.

Each tenant in Roongrawee Mansion was given about four hangers. Already, each of my hangers had at least two items draped on them. I removed each dry item and threw them in the closet, and took the hangers outside. It was sunny and breezy, so I hung my dresses and nice "going out" tank tops on hangers, but draped everything else over my balcony. Once done, I looked up to the temple across the trees. It was pouring rain, and the rain moved quickly toward the mansion grounds.

I grabbed as much as I could before the rain hit, but it soaked my dresses and button-down shirts (argh!). Two tank tops fell on the ground, and were immediately full of soot. Everything I'd draped on the balcony railing had rust spots on them (my white pants!!). I tossed everything back in the bathtub, and rinsed again. It was not a smart decision to hang my clothes outside.

Anyway, now everything is hung in the bathroom. I mopped the puddles of dirty rain water and soapy laundry water all over my room and bathroom, and now have two soaked towels and a wet bath mat. Unfortunately, the hotel staff cleaned my room yesterday, so I have to make due with the one towel I have left until next week.

Overall, though, I feel a sense of accomplishment. The process took me two hours--and who knows how long the clothes will take to dry--but it was worth it. Afterwards, I FINALLY did my toes and nails. I feel I deserve some beautification after being a wash-maid. Gotta have pretty piggies!Besides, George is taking us out to a restaurant and a club, where there are a lot of hot men (his words, not mine, so not sure if that's good for the heterosexual female).

On my way to this internet cafe, I stopped at Mama's and dropped off a conservative load of laundry. Tomorrow, I pick it up after 5pm. Maybe that'll be after the beach...? Or after clothes shopping (the backup plan), which is just as exciting!