My grandparents live in a very poor country.
They live very simple lives.
I visit them once a year and spend a month with them. I am always amazed at how they live this way. For example, their electricity goes out a few times a day. They have to run downstairs to turn on the generator when this happens. There are many things in their house that cannot work when the generator is powering the house. We can’t use the microwave or hair dryer with the generator, but we can use it with regular electricity. This has to do with the voltage of these items and how much energy they need to function. The generator can’t support them. We also cannot use the air conditioning unit when the generator is powering the house. This is really difficult for me to adjust to because they live in a very hot and humid climate. I am constantly covered in sweat during my stay with them. Some nights, we get really lucky and the electricity stays on for the entire night. On those nights, we sleep comfortably with the air conditioning blowing on us. If the electricity goes out while we’re asleep, we wake up from the sweat and discomfort. It’s happened many times. They have fans throughout the house, but they aren’t nearly strong enough. The air conditioning makes the biggest difference. Regardless of this, I continue to visit once a year for a few weeks at a time. Nothing will stop me from spending time with my grandparents as often as possible.