Our Shower

I do not know about hot water delivery systems generally in Guatemala, but in our house, there is no water heater. Instead, the shower has been rigged with an electric device that warms the water almost instantaneously when you turn on the faucet. A water heater is not needed, and I imagine that saves quite a bit of energy. But the device used in our house requires an electrical line directly into the device, which is attached to the shower head. Three naked wires dangle from the heater and worm their way into the wall. I've always been taught that water and electricity don't mix, but I suppose this is what you do if you don't have a gas water heater. I don't know if many people electrocute themselves when showering with these devices, but our housemate Ryan, indicates that he has been shocked when turning off the water after showering. Though it appears to be a problem when he's taken a long shower and water has accumulated up to his ankles. Perhaps the shock is a reminder that we should keep our baths short.