Why Communism Failed

So, when we first got here, we learned that all of Petro is heated centrally, meaning that they create all the hot air in one place, then pump it all throughout the city. At some point this month they will shut it off - no worries, it has been in the 80's here the last week, we've just had the windows opened and watched all that hot air go outside (very efficient!). So, think of that old apartment building you lived in where the management controlled when you had heat or air conditioning - but for the whole city! I guess this is a hold-over from the soviet era - everyone equal, right.

Well, yesterday (our day in court), we discovered we had no hot water. We later learned that the ENTIRE city receives it's hot water centrally, just like heating. Apparently the city has 'run out of hot water', and won't have any till June. Yep, that's right, Petro will soon be thriving with 250,000 very stinky people.

So, we've resorted to heating water on our little oven, and taking quasi-sponge showers every other day. Should be interesting....

So, centralized heating and hot water - another reason why communism failed. Forget Starbucks and Chipotle, we'd give anything for a hot water heater..... :)