Just Add Cold Water

We decided to turn the water heater on for two hours at a time to get enough hot water for our use. "F" has been useless in getting the final serious leak repaired, getting other repairs done, and the water heater fully functional. Yesterday, after "F" appeared surprised that we still had problems (problems I explained to him last Wednesday and then wrote up and emailed to him Thursday, and all of which he agreed to fix), he gave me the name and phone number of the insurance company rep, "A," so I could simply take care of it all myself. I phoned "A" today. He asked why I couldn't just use the water heater. I explained that the thermostat appears to be broken, which means that the water just gets hotter and hotter with no control and apparently no limit.

"A" said, "Well, can't you just mix it in the sink with cold water?"

Pause for it to sink in...

I painfully explained to "A" that the problem is not that the water is too hot to put our hands in. The problem is that the water eventually begins to boil in the tank, which then forces it into the pipes, which will then cause another explosion in the pipes. I don't think he understands. And no one seems concerned that there was hot water in the toilet tanks just before the explosion.

If this goes nowhere tomorrow, we will call our own repair people and deduct the costs from our final rent payment. We've been planning a move to the beach for early fall. I haven't mentioned it before because we haven't figured it out yet. Lots more to come once we make some decisions. An interesting opportunity has arisen, which puts us up in the air until we know where it will lead. Hopefully soon. In the meantime, we'll just add cold water.

A GLIMPSE OF THE CATHEDRAL AND GIRALDA. 

Meanwhile, I had four or five days to relax and ignore the problems. Our nephew Matt and his wife Lindy were here and we spent the days wandering the city and the nights having amazing meals. Their visit kept me in mind of how lucky we are to have the opportunity to live in a place like this. It also reminded me how lucky we are to have the family we do. Matt and Lindy headed off Tuesday afternoon to continue their Spanish adventure. We've been missing them ever since.

SAN GERALDO AND "THE FAMILY WE'D CHOOSE IF THEY WEREN'T ALREADY OURS."
AT LOS NIÑOS DEL FLOR FOR BREAKFAST.

FOR SOME REASON, PEOPLE COULD TELL LINDY WASN'T FROM AROUND HERE.

WALKING WITH MATT AND LINDY. BARRIO SANTA CRUZ (THE OLD JEWISH QUARTER).
THE STREET CONTINUES THROUGH THE ARCHWAY.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOUSES IN BARRIO SANTA CRUZ.

BORDERING THE GARDENS OF MURILLO.

BEHIND RAILING: THE REMAINS OF THE MORE THAN 2,000-YEAR-OLD ROMAN TEMPLE.
FOREGROUND: MARBLE COLUMNS OF 19TH CENTURY HOUSE NEXT DOOR.

MATT & LINDY ON THE ROOFTOP OF THEIR HOTEL (RECENTLY, OUR HOTEL, TOO).

AT TRIANA'S PUBLIC MARKET. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS.
I'M SURE I CAN COUNT ON YOU TO TELL ME.