Living in a reasonably affordable apartment in Italy is still like taking a step back in time. I made sure I found a place with the basics. Priorities: my own bathroom, a shower, stove (gas burners!), oven, refrigerator, and a washing machine.
I'm learning to live without: a microwave, TV, clothes dryer, window screens, cabinets, dishwasher, unlimited power supply, air conditioning, in-sink disposal, a regular size fridge (Italians go to the market every few days).
I'm learning to live with: going to the market every few days, a bidet, walking everywhere and up/down 72-steps several times a day, carrying around giant skeleton keys to three doors and a gate, putting my trash in the street every night for pickup, drinking wine all hours of the day (part of my studies, OK?), hand-washing many of my clothes and hanging them on a rack or line (or chair, shower, door) to dry.
Here's the deal on the washing machine. It's a behemoth in the kitchen, right next to the sink. We (students) have been warned multiple times about the wicked power draw and danger of this thing. It is something to be both revered and feared. I decided it was time confront my fears and do a load of jeans and towels. I looked at it, sighed, and said, "E tempo di andare, cagna!" (It's 'go time,' bitch!) Some things cannot be hand-washed. Another list is imminent, but this is important shit for surviving the attack of the Italian washing machine. Thusly:
10) Do not do any thing else while machine is in operation. My instructions say not to operate within 12 hours of charging a computer. My computer battery is currently on 40 percent - I've been rationing my online access because of 'laundry day.'
9) Use an online translator to help understand why the little red light with a KEY symbol is flashing. The manual says it's due to an 'anomaly.' It's your responsibility to figure out what, exactly, that anomaly is. In my case, it was two T-shirts, one pair of pants, and one towel too much for the behemoth to handle.
8) Why the hell is the KEY symbol even ON a washing machine?
7) My manual also says the function buttons act as 'spies' but doesn't elaborate further on what that could possibly mean. Either my translation sucks, or the washing machine is reporting back to its government on my activities. In which case I wouldn't be surprised.
6) Learn where the circuit breaker boxes are for WHEN you blow a fuse washing your two towels and two pairs of jeans because that's ALL the machine can handle - or the evil KEY light flashes at you. (May be taking photos for government spies.)
5) Unplug when not in use. Maybe the spies won't be able to hear anything.
4) When is it done? Not yet. Maybe tomorrow. Good thing you have a flashlight and 38% of your computer battery left. I've been waiting an hour and 1/2 and I think it started all over again, who knows.
3) Don't wash all your towels at once - you won't see them until the next day. NOTE: You CAN shower within 12 hours of doing laundry, just not during the washing process or certain phases of the moon.
2) Do not taunt the washing machine. It also does not like to be watched.
1) Finally, experience in space or missile operations is a plus. Doing a load of laundry requires a specific launch sequence which if not entered properly could start yet another world conflict.
Back to rationing my computer power. Peace, love, and all things drip-drying in Tuscan sun!
I'm learning to live without: a microwave, TV, clothes dryer, window screens, cabinets, dishwasher, unlimited power supply, air conditioning, in-sink disposal, a regular size fridge (Italians go to the market every few days).
I'm learning to live with: going to the market every few days, a bidet, walking everywhere and up/down 72-steps several times a day, carrying around giant skeleton keys to three doors and a gate, putting my trash in the street every night for pickup, drinking wine all hours of the day (part of my studies, OK?), hand-washing many of my clothes and hanging them on a rack or line (or chair, shower, door) to dry.
Here's the deal on the washing machine. It's a behemoth in the kitchen, right next to the sink. We (students) have been warned multiple times about the wicked power draw and danger of this thing. It is something to be both revered and feared. I decided it was time confront my fears and do a load of jeans and towels. I looked at it, sighed, and said, "E tempo di andare, cagna!" (It's 'go time,' bitch!) Some things cannot be hand-washed. Another list is imminent, but this is important shit for surviving the attack of the Italian washing machine. Thusly:
10) Do not do any thing else while machine is in operation. My instructions say not to operate within 12 hours of charging a computer. My computer battery is currently on 40 percent - I've been rationing my online access because of 'laundry day.'
9) Use an online translator to help understand why the little red light with a KEY symbol is flashing. The manual says it's due to an 'anomaly.' It's your responsibility to figure out what, exactly, that anomaly is. In my case, it was two T-shirts, one pair of pants, and one towel too much for the behemoth to handle.
8) Why the hell is the KEY symbol even ON a washing machine?
7) My manual also says the function buttons act as 'spies' but doesn't elaborate further on what that could possibly mean. Either my translation sucks, or the washing machine is reporting back to its government on my activities. In which case I wouldn't be surprised.
6) Learn where the circuit breaker boxes are for WHEN you blow a fuse washing your two towels and two pairs of jeans because that's ALL the machine can handle - or the evil KEY light flashes at you. (May be taking photos for government spies.)
5) Unplug when not in use. Maybe the spies won't be able to hear anything.
4) When is it done? Not yet. Maybe tomorrow. Good thing you have a flashlight and 38% of your computer battery left. I've been waiting an hour and 1/2 and I think it started all over again, who knows.
3) Don't wash all your towels at once - you won't see them until the next day. NOTE: You CAN shower within 12 hours of doing laundry, just not during the washing process or certain phases of the moon.
2) Do not taunt the washing machine. It also does not like to be watched.
1) Finally, experience in space or missile operations is a plus. Doing a load of laundry requires a specific launch sequence which if not entered properly could start yet another world conflict.
Back to rationing my computer power. Peace, love, and all things drip-drying in Tuscan sun!
'spia' in this context it is a signal not an FBI informant. ie: it is informing you.
ReplyDeleteas for the length of the cycle... my American husband used to fast forward the 'manopola' and could never resign to our washing machine speed. But your machine maybe all buttons and no fun, or you could have left the oh-so-American-obsession for speed, efficiency and control back home in your garage.
Thank you, Anonymous - that is the whole idea of this journey. These days, I fast-forward through nothing. I might miss something if I do ...
ReplyDeleteSorry I could not resist this:
ReplyDeletewhat you need - I'm ready to bet - is "un adattatore: maschio industriale da 3 [or 2], femmina spina tedesca".
Any 'elettricista' should have what you need:
adapters are very common in Italy: check your kitchen plug for size and number of holes - if the distance between the 2 outer holes is the same as the toaster plug: it is 'industriale', if it has only 2 holes I suggest you find one with 3 [earth is not a bad idea with or without "salvavita", but as I'm lazy I probably wouldn't].
With an adapter our appliances will still need to take turns, but you won't need to be a "contorsionista"
And here is some history, Italian lingo and folklore.
Italy used to have 2 types of electricity in the house: 160 and 240
160 was distributed from plugs with narrow gauge and thin prongs, 240 was called "industriale" which came with plugs slightly wider. Originally there were only 2 prongs no earth or "terra" (!!!)
Then a third prong was added - for earth - and all lines carried 220, but the two sizes remained, as the presence of 2 holes plugs.
[Note that the presence of a third hole does not assure you that earth is in place (!!! again)], it can be be just for convenience.
For a little while there was what was called the 'spina magica' a rectangular piece of architectural design nightmare, but I doubt you have it ... it was so strange you would have mentioned it.
Since Italy joined the EU every appliance comes with what is called 'spina tedesca': 2 prongs on a circular 'spina' with earth on the side which fits into the 'presa incassata', also the prongs are slightly thicker so they do not fit in the old style plugs regular or 'industriale'.
It follows that any old Italian home has a combination of 5 different plugs - each with its own personality and vintage - and a wide collection of adapters which makes any electrically savvy foreigner gasps in disbelief. Still Italians seem to have survived to a ripe old age all the same.
Alternatively for a solution low tech, with no taking turn, if you have a gas stove, any no fuss "casalinghi" or "mesticheria" [as Chiti in via dell'ariento al mercato centrale] will sell you a "gratella per tostare il pane" which you could use in any future camping trip and feel nostalgic in the process.
Ora prometto che sto zittina per un po`.