Two things broke last week. First, my hot water heater died after working fine for a couple of days. Then I found out that my MacBook doesn't like 12-year-old single malt scotch.
I found out that I wasn't getting any hot water after a few days of the thing working perfectly. Both Elma and Mark, my friends who live a few kilometers away, came over to take a look. We decided that it was something only an electrician could fix—probably a burnt-out heating element. Well, the hot water heater was installed in 2004 and had not been used in over 18 months. It probably failed due to the strain of a new owner, switching over the power to my name, etc.
Mark said that he could install a new one for a little over 200 euros plus cost for a few parts and his time. I got a smaller one as the old one was large enough for a family of ten to take hot showers simultaneously.
Problem 2. Apparently, my MacBook does not like 12-year-old single malt scotch. I'm not sure if it doesn't like scotch or it is holding out for older more expensive scotch—probably the later, since all Apple computers are snobs. In any case, part of my drink splashed on the keyboard. No, I didn't dump the whole glass into the computer. As a result, a few keys were damaged. However, it was impossible to do any work. Eventually, it was so bad that I couldn't logon. I spent time in chat with Apple support (via my iPad), and we decided that I needed to take the MacBook to an Apple Store.
I stopped at the Apple Store in Aix-en-Provence on my way to language school. Armed with a vocabulary list, I was fully prepared to explain the situation in my poor French. However, the technician spoke much better English than my French. We decided that my computer needed to be sent to the warehouse, and I would have it back in 10 days. However, the repairs only took 5 days, and I picked up my computer on Saturday. They replaced the keyboard. Normally, this would cost $400, but I was smart enough to by Apple Care, and there was no charge.
So yes, things can be fixed in France. You have to be patient, and knowing some French helps.
France will teach one patience. I learned things happen in France when they r ready to happen. Not when I am ready.
ReplyDeleteSorry abt the hot water heater. We had to replace the cooker. The hotplates worked fine and I thought all was well until I went to bake a cake a couple of weeks later. I discovered the mice had eaten thru the electrical card and we had to buy a new cooker.
Fun and games in France. The simplist jobs become a challenge. Every day is certainly interesting!
I remember that washing machine, think it is designed for one person as well.
ReplyDelete