An Open and Shut Life

Bill here --- 

Window management. Who would have guessed that would be a big part of the Great African Adventure?

Bill is opening the shutters in our kitchen.

Our flat is on the ground floor, and security is an issue on campus, so we have to close things up when we leave for any period of time. But closing everything up is a major project! Because we’re in the tropics, there are a LOT of windows, all with outside shutters that can close to block the sun. Because we’re in the malarial tropics, the windows also have inside screened frames, so the breeze can come in but the bugs (theoretically) stay out.

So there are three layers: the shutters; the screened frames (on hinges so they swing open); and inside shutter-style glass windows.

When we’re here during the daytime, we open the outside shutters (if they’re not in the sun), close the screened frame, and open the glass windows. But that means if we decide to go out, we have to open the frame, close and lock the shutters, reclose and lock the frame, and close and lock the glass windows. All involving struggles with the ancient, slightly out of line and sometimes rusted bolt locks at each step.

                

And if it’s the kitchen windows, we have to brace ourselves not to jump when one of the resident geckos falls off the frame as we open it and scurries madly away.

                 

Here's the inside of our kitchen. The cooker (oven) doesn't work!

This may not sound like much, but this house has nearly 20 windows that we normally keep open, because it’s the only way to keep from dying from the heat when we’re inside. I timed it once when we were shutting the place down to go out. With both Theresa and me working at it, it took a full 13 minutes just to shut the windows (followed by washing up because the old wood is so dirty). You can see that there’s no such thing as spontaneously walking out the door.

               

Of course the reverse process occurs as our first move when we return home, and sometimes this whole cycle can happen two or three times in a day. Window management: a big part of our glamorous life!