October 1, 2014 -- Down with Dongles

 So…On Friday morning, I received an email from Jan at 4:30 a.m. and then that, Ladies and Gentlemen, was the last communication we have had with the outside world since then.

We have what is known as a Dongle, which plugs into an outlet in the house, or into the side of your computer – either way – it is portable WIFI.  We have it in Canada too, but I don’t know what they call it.

Rob and Monica, you may remember, had quite a lot of trouble wth it in July, - as it had a  very limited amount of data, and once it was getting close to the end of the month (getting close to end of the data) the thing would run as slow as molasses.  THEN, it stopped working altogether for four whole days and it turned out that WIICS had not paid the bill.  (This WIFI is supposed to be supplied with the Apartment.).

He we are again at the end of the month, and guess what?!!  NO INTERNET.  Despite protestations to the contrary, we believe that the bill again did not get paid.  Hitender texted last night to say “Plug your Dongle in, as I have been assured everything is fine with the company and it will be working in one-half hour.  That was 18 hours ago.  Nada.  Zilch, Zero. 

But the thing is this.  Internet is the ONLY way we communicate with our families here.  We need it for Skype phoning, or for emails or even for iMessaging or What’s App.  And though we hate to admit it, we are now very reliant on our Internet. 

We want to check out some hotels in Delhi (going there on Thursday).  Can’t.

Want to check the weather forecast.  Can’t

Want to scan an important document to Silvia.  Can’t   (grrrr!)

Want to play Scrabble online with my Buddies.  Can’t

Want to find out what Milo just cooked us for dinner.  (She said Tinda)  Can’t – but if We had the internet, I would use my handy translate app. to find that out.  ed. note once Internet was back - Baby pumpkin - a veg. sold immature - small, round, green.  Good.

So, sad as it is, we are now dependent on the internet.  We have taken matters into our own hands – ordered our own Dongle through our friend, Harpreet (but it will not be active until Tuesday, or so they say).  Update- not til Oct. 8th at least.  Sigh.