Electricity and Water

The constant availability of electricity and water (both hot and cold) varies widely across the country.  Although most developed areas across the country have pretty strong electricity and water infrastructure, consistent availability is still not 100% guaranteed. 

Hot water, in particular, remains a struggle.  At the hotels I’ve stayed, you have to turn on a “geyser” button to heat up the water for a single shower.  It takes about 10-15 minutes for the individual hot water heater to heat up.  At the current dorm/hotel where I’m staying in Ahmedabad, there is a centralized hot water heater, but hot water is only available from 8 AM to 10 AM.  Even during this time, hot water has not been guaranteed.  Thankfully, the non-hot water is bearable enough for an invigorating shower.

Electricity seems to be unreliable and expensive.  In all the places I’ve stayed, and throughout the nicer neighborhoods, backup generators are common.  One afternoon in Jaisalmer, I came back to the hotel for an afternoon tea, and the place was dark.  Luckily, the backup generator kicked on in a few minutes.  The other afternoon, I stopped by a frozen yogurt place on my way home from school.  I entered the shop and it was dark, and the shopkeeper jumped out to turn on the lights and all the yogurt machines.  It took about 5 minutes or the yogurt machines to cool down enough.  I’m guessing they were trying to conserve electricity during a slow afternoon.

Although the inconsistent hot water and electricity conservation are not the result of environmentalism, but of a lack of robust infrastructure, I can appreciate the reduced energy consumption.  While it creates minor inconveniences (having to wait for my frozen yogurt, or a lukewarm shower), the energy savings must be great. 

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