Something or other in my washing machine has long been broken. When it spins fast during the drying cycle, it makes a lot of noise. The banging can be heard on the street. Aware of the difficulty of getting a new machine in Istria, as well as having it delivered to the top of the Motovun hill, I prefer to stay with the faulty one while it lasts. But the drying cycle is hilarious, to put it mildly. The ruckus is pretty amazing. The best I can do under the circumstances is to dance in front of the washing machine while it bangs along. African drumming is with me as I twist and turn. My arms raised high, I let go of all compunctions. By the time the cycle finishes, I am almost sorry the fun is over.

Addendum I (November 13, 2016)

This was written after my first dance in front of the banging washing machine. For a whole year now, I do it whenever I have a load of laundry to wash. Which is about once a month, I reckon. As soon as a drying cycle starts, I rush to the washing machine and start dancing in front of it. The banging never fails to get me going. My arms raised high, I shake and sway. My eyes closed, I hop hither and thither. My mouth stretched into a wide grin, I clap my hands with passion when the ruckus reaches its height. Luckily for me, there are quite a few drying cycles for every load of laundry. At least a dozen of them, if I am not mistaken. At any rate, my washing machine has been much fun as of late. But only while it bangs along.

Addendum II (April 2, 2020)

The Zanussi washing machine, which I acquired in 2011, is history as of yesterday (Addendum IV of April 21, 2011, to “Bosch,” March 28, 2010). Although it performed rather well in spite of its strange flaw, I eventually got tired of the earbreaking noise it made. My new machine is made by Miele, and it is the best on offer nowadays. Which is why its price is roughly double those of machines that can be considered its competitors. Somewhat surprisingly from the vantage point of this piece, I went for it because it is amazingly quiet while in operation, the drying cycle included. Well, I was also attracted by its purpoted longevity. Given my age, it may well outlive me, which is perfectly fine with me at this point of my life. Just as I did before my washing machine started banging like crazy, I will go for African music whenever I feel like dancing. It beats Zanussi by a wide margin, too.