Laundry Day

Laundry day is practically every day here. We wear t-shirts and shorts and socks with our work boots. The combination of the heat, humidity and soil, we sweat through our clothes very quickly. After a day or so, the laundry basket usually has a heap of clothes along with dish towels, bath towels etc. Especially this time of year (the rainy season), items that get a little damp take forever to dry. Like the dish towel and microfiber cloths that I use in the kitchen. A dish towel is good for about one day. After we dry the dinner dishes, it hangs on the oven handle and even in the morning, it is still damp. Also, I have about a dozen blue microfiber cloths. I'm constantly using them to dry the countertops. There is so much moisture in the air that after I wipe down the countertop with a sponge, there is a sheen of water. If I didn't wipe it with a cloth, the sheen will be there hours later.

Fortunately, we have what is commonly called a "Tico"washing machine. This denotes that it is a "manual" model, as opposed to an automatic machine common in North America.

Even though it is called a Tico washer, it is a Sankey which I supposed is designed and built in China. If you notice in the photo there is a water tap coming out of the wall over the left side of the machine. That's how I fill up the wash tub. I turn on the tap, then usually wander off to complete another quick task. It is important that I don't get too distracted and get back to turn off the tap before the tub is too full. The machine has an overflow valve (thankfully) that directs the water into the drain. There are 3 rotating dials: a knob for the washer, a knob for rotation "strength" and draining the wash tub and a knob for the spin dryer. It is a real "hands on" process. Doing the laundry has never been one of my strengths. In the past with an automatic washer, I threw the clothes in with detergent and came back about an hour later. With this little machine, I'm interacting with it about every 15 minutes. I consider this process as part of our "slow living."

Have you've heard of the "slow food" movement? Well, I just did a quick search on "The Google" to discover that there is a philosophy that was started in 1989 called the "Slow Movement". It encompasses more than just "slow cooking." Our lifestyle here reflects this approach to living. Our days have a way of unfolding with activities where we don't use the "latest and greatest" automated tools. M brought down a scythe. It is a well-crafted tool that he uses to cut the grass and weeds. He is experiencing a sharp learning curve in using it effectively and not blow out his back. The scythe is part of his desire to use tools that don't have a carbon footprint. Yet Lilo's main job each Saturday is weed-whacking the property and he uses a heavy-duty gas-powered machine. M's scythe is an attempt at a counter-balance.

I wouldn't have the patience or the time to use a washing machine like this in my "old life." Here, it is great since I have lots of time and energy. Observing the laundry during each stage is very interesting. The water during the wash is so dark and "dirty." It's not like our clothes are mud-soaked or anything. I note this because even after the rinse cycle, the water is dark. I have to turn the knob to drain to allow the wash water to drain out of the tub.

Then I turn the knob back to wash and refill the tub for the rinse water. When the rinse cycle is finished, I turn the knob to drain the tub and lift the clothes out and place them in the spin tub (which is a glorified bathing suit spinner that you'd find in a health club changing room.) It works very well. As long as I get the clothes balanced correctly. Otherwise, it makes a heck of a racket and I have to stop it and re-balance.

We chose a Tico washer because all our gringo friends advised us that an automatic washer will "croak" within 2 years. It seems that the humidity in the air will infect the electronics.

I have 2 friends whose automatic washers have died just in the last few months. The automatic appliance that would come in handy this time of year is a dryer. We have a clothesline that crisscross from pillar to pillar on the west side of our downstairs terrace. In the dry season, the breeze from the Golfo and the sunshine dry the clothes within a few hours. Now with all the rain, it can take 24 hours before the clothes are reasonably dry. Even then, the material has a faint touch of moisture. This time of year, I cluster the clothes on the lines in the most sheltered area of the terrace. Many of the storms have high winds that drive the rain several feet onto the terrace. Even with the huge overhanging roof and upstairs decks, the rain seems to fly in sideways. It is just a part of living here. Fortunately, we have other t-shirts and shorts and can wait a day or two for freshly laundered clothes to dry. These washing machines are relatively new introduction to Costa Rica. Many older "pilars" (laundry rooms) have large sinks with washboards as Ticas used to hand wash all the family laundry. And this is all with cold water!