The Knobless TubI put the knobs on the screws in an attempt to make it work, but I guess they were stripped so the knobs just moved around in a non-productive manner!
So, mid November I attended the Dakar Women's Retreat which took place over a weekend at the Hotel Ngor Diarama, which is supposed to be one of the nicest hotels in Dakar. I've been there several times for day meetings and conferences, but never had a room. So, I've included photos of my bathing arrangement. Notice there are no knobs on the tub. I tired to turn them on and could not so I called the desk and asked if they could bring me a wrench or something. The guy shows up with no tools, so he puts the knobs on and proceeds to 'draw me a bath'. He had to stick his hand up under the sink (notice the hole if you can). The problem was that the knobs kept falling off into the water, so he'd put his hands (that have been goodness knows where) into my bath water to fish them out! Yeeeeeek! So, I told him that I appreciated his coming but I really needed something that would allow me to regulate the faucets myself so I could make sure the water was the right temperature. He says, "No problem, just stick your hand in and tell
me if you need it colder or hotter." Now, up to this point I was trying to be diplomatic...and after several tries of attempting to explain that it really would be better if I could do it myself, he said, "Vous avez raison." Then he goes on to tell me how to stick my hand up under the sink to do it! And I'm thinking, 'This hotel costs over $100 per night and I have to stick my hands up under the sink OR bathe in strange people-hands water!' Then I asked him where the shower was because I could not figure that out. That is when he showed me how to pull the nozzle from the sink (like a kitchen sink); so you basically have to be on your knees in the tub if you want to shower because the hose isn't long enough to stand; and those of you who know me, know that I am pretty short! Anyway, I opted for the hand under the sink methodology until I felt something move...yep! ROACHES! So, as my service to those who use this blog to seek valuable information for the purpose of travel, leisure or are contemplating a move...just don't stay at hotel Diarama if luxury is your aim! Unless you think that paying $100. a night for roaches and no shower is cool. And, oh yea....Africa Moment #10 comes from the same experience...read the next one!
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