in the US to 220v
here has proved to be a thorn in my flesh!!!You would think it would be obvious....the appliances we brought from the US have a different plug then the wall outlets. But there are adapters that make 110v plugs work here, for those things like laptops and portable dvd players that can often run on both, it’s all good. BUT for all the other stuff, we must use a transformer.
Not long after we got into our new house, I borrowed a neighbor’s US vacuum cleaner to vacuum the one swath of carpet we had that the broom was just not doing the trick on. She warned me, “It’s a US vacuum, so you’ll need to use a transformer. Adapters and transformers do not look or sound the same, yet I though she said adapter.
A burned smelling growling minute later, I realize I need a transformer. 
I use the transformer but the damage is already done. I bemoan my naivete to Jerry and the fact it will cost us a new vacuum to our friends. They refuse to let us get them a new one, too nice.I don’t dare ask to borrow another electronic! One would think the vacuum would have been sufficient to teach me all about voltage in Kenya.Much to the kids’ delight, household items we shipped via slow boat to Kenya back in January have just arrived, with a few US appliances! I’ve already told Olivia to plug in the charger to a remote control car in the wrong power strip and now it’s on Jerry’s stack of stuff to try and fix. Then, in trying to set up a tape deck for Olivia to listen to, that has belonged to Jerry since high school, that he insisted on bringing because it can run on 110 OR 220, I told Olivia to just plug it with the adapter. Funny noise. Burned Smell. I forgot Jerry said you had to flip a switch on the back BEFORE it would run on 220.!!!! I have promised to consult Jerry now before I plug ANYTHING ELSE in!!!
I always say electronics have an attitude problem when it comes to me. Maybe they are just afraid.
