chapter 32: t.i.a vs t.i.e

day one in london. it's weird. clean streets. clean buildings. quiet, orderly traffic. brisk walking. quiet people who keep to themselves.

here's a funny short story.

all through my stay in africa, annoyances, inconveniences and uncomfortable material circumstances were the norm. and whenever i'd come across them, someone (often me) would mutter "this is africa." (or in the french parts, "c'est l'afrique".)

no running water? take a bucket bath. t.i.a.

someone's three hours late? t.i.a.

bad customer service? t.i.a.

constant sweating? t.i.a.

but what about t.i.e.?

i decided to spoil myself my first day in london. four star hotel. towels, soap included. no ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes. nice, hot shower. comfortable bed.

so what happens? the air conditioner conks out. the room is stifling. i'm sweating. on a typically cool, overcast london day.

i phone the front desk. no answer.

i decide to take a shower. no soap.

finally, i get the front desk. the concierge fiddles with the air conditioner and gets it working. but i'm still really hot. he brings soap. i take a cold shower.

i step out, and the room is glacial. now i'm freezing.

t.i.i.

this is irony.