How to take a bucket bath:
1.
Heat up water in a cast iron cauldron on the
fire and bring it to a boil (note: this may take a very long time and you are
advised to go do something else and come back and check an hour or so after
lighting the fire)
2.
Scoop out maybe a liter or two of hot water into
the industrial sized plastic bucket provided for you, and transport it into the
bathroom. Be sure to refill the cauldron on the fire and stoke the fire to make
sure a good flame is going for the next person’s bath water.
3.
Pour the hot water into a smaller bucket and add
room temperature water until filled.
4.
While on your hands and knees, dip your entire
head into the bucket. This may require a bit of maneuvering in order to fully
submerge all of your hair. It should feel like you are half way to a handstand
with your head, neck, and shoulders perpendicular to the ground as best you can
manage.
5.
Remove your head and add shampoo and conditioner
(it is best to add both at the same time so as to only require one further head
dunk.
6.
Resubmerge your head into the bucket and swish
your hair around a little bit to get the soap out.
7.
Use a wash cloth to wet the rest of your body
before sudsing up with a bar of soap. Then rinse off the soap with the wash
cloth. (note: some peace corps volunteers have found that the use of a cup is
also good for rising).
8.
Dump the warm bath water over your body when you
are finished. Close your eyes and pretend it is a shower. Because it is the
closest thing you are going to get. Be careful to leave a few inches of water
at the bottom to pour directly into the tub, as there are usually increased
levels of sediment settled there that one should not pour on oneself.
9.
Repeat twice a day, as directed by your
insistent host mother. (Note: it is easier to pretend to bath twice a day
rather than try to explain American bathing habits. Just splash around a little
bit and change your clothes and that seems to satisfy the quota).
No comments:
Post a Comment