18 November 2004

Stove day

Today saw the long-awaited arrival of stove day.

In England we are too long used to the luxury of a boiler which pumps hot water and steam around the entire school. Not so in Asahi - here each classroom and staff room has its own paraffin stove, complete with an elaborate flue system straight out of a steampunk fantasy. I graciously offered to help set up the pipes in the staff room this afternoon, ostensibly so I could craftily nudge the stove a little closer to my desk. Now we just have to wait for the Great Turning-On... I hope it's soon, I'm bloody cold

One of the many stoves that have been distributed around the school. At last, heat!
A fearless teacher grapples with the rickety flue.

3 comments:

The Funky Drummer said...

Wow - you actually get chimneys for yours!
Our heat comes with free parafin fumes.

Anonymous said...

Don't hold your breath waiting. They are purely for "show". They never actually get turned on. It's all psychological.

The Funky Drummer said...

Thats the weird thing about the Japan - the mix of the ultra advanced technology - with the stone age technology. They don't even insulate their houses when its zero degreess all winter and 35 degrees all summer - (DIME BAR?) and don't even get me started about their washing machines - might as well do your washing in a stream with a wash board.