Domestic "bliss"

Yesterday the power went out suddenly at about 930am - the time I knew because I was laying in bed watching CNN - not unusual we thought - there are often power cuts in Phnom Penh - demand usually exceeds supply - I have no clue where and how Cambodia generates electricity - for all I know it is a half dozen (bpram muay) water buffalo turning a wheel somewhere outside of town.  Three hours later we were kind of aware that there seemed to be music coming from the neighbors - hmmm - surely not batteries.  Uh, no - we had been shut off for non payment of the bill apparently - the bill which in our case we did not have and had not seen. Seems the landlord had omited to pay anything and when we moved in and started using power someone noticed.  So a few phone calls ensued and shorthly thereafter a couple of guys in an Electricte Du Cambodge van (apparently another French leftover) arrived - I paid $15 and all was well.  All was well I say until such time as I tried to go to the bathroom.  Zero drainage - zero flushage.  I informed Da and waited for her plan of action - hell I dont know whether you call a plumbr in Cambodia or what - I drew a plunger and showed it to her - a word that is lamentably missing from my English/Khmer dictionary - some devices are universal and should be obligatory in any dictionary. Next I knew I heard hammering - I looked into the bathroom and she was laying on the floor chipping out the tile cement under the toilet with a borrowed hammer and chisel.  Any attempt by me to help was swiftly rejected (honestly I tried). I withdrew - half hour later I heard porcelein sounds and investigated  - she had removed the entire toilet and was now atacking the hole with a length of bendy bamboo longer than she is and a viscious length of wire which constituted a home-made plumbers snake.  Once again (thankfully) my help was rejected - not sure my stomach was really up for the task anyway. She emerged with a plastic bag the contents of which were better left unknown I think.  She then replaced the toilet - and re-grouted/cemented the whole thing.  I was warned not to use the toilet for 24 hours - pee in the shower she said - orders with which under the circumstances I was happy to comply.  Today all was well.  She is indeed Khmer-Superwoman, or maybe they are all that way.  Honestly I tried to help.