Work-Cation

So last week, I took what I am terming a 'work-cation'. It all started with the need to redo the sewer pipe system in my yard. As my colleague Daniel has said in regards to my frequent water drainage issues: ''The root of your problem . . . is roots!!"

Yes, the trees planted alongside my house search all possible water sources - and the roots of said trees grow into what I believed to be the entrance of the pipes from each collecting point (square hole) along the pipe line.

As you can see from photos below, the problem is along the whole pipe line and not just at the entry points . . .

So, as the plumber estimated it would take 3 days to replace the system with new pipes - and during said time I would be without toilets and showers - I decided to move into a guest house in town. I figured it would likely take more than the estimated time and so I booked for 3 nights at the guest house.

Thus the 'work-cation": I was still working. But the 'cation' came in that I was away from home and all the ensuing 'obligations'. (Though, I have to say, this part of my plan 'failed', for the few times I zipped in and out for clothes and money, my employees in the vicinity still managed to find me and ask me for money!)

Be that as it may, I had the feeling of being away and the joy of not having to cook for myself (beyond the reheating of pizza and cinnamon rolls purchased from the guest house freezer). It was a wonderful break.

Surprisingly, the plumber was finished in record time - and faster than he estimated! I was surprised that he finished the work in 1.5 days. However, as I was already booked at the guest house, I decided to stay and enjoy the 'cation' part of my working week!

Work in progress:

New pipe waiting to be placed in the ground:

You may ask if the plumbing issues are normal here. I cannot say for every house - though mine seems to have an inordinate amount of trees in the courtyard, and thus I think I need the plumber more often to powder burn out the tree roots - but I can say that I guess in the desert, the trees will grow roots where they must in search of the little water available:

At one point last year, the plumber came to fix a toilet. I thought he mentioned that we needed to let the 'declogging' powder sit awhile in the toilet. I misunderstood him and a few minutes later, as I sat calmly working at my desk, the plumber walked by carrying my toilet!! After some discussion and a few repeats of sentences, I learned that the tree in the courtyard next to my house was growing roots under the wall, up through the sewer pipes and into my toilet!