Mosquitoes
I have avoided talking about the bugs because in the event one of my many readers is interested in coming to visit, I didn't want to discourage you. :)
So I will refrain from going into detail about the bug I have named "The flying black golf ball." I will stick to the title of this blog and just talk about the mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes are everywhere. They love us. We are their favorite meal. The Africans say it is because we have soft skin. I don't know if that is true or not because I used to have soft skin before moving to Africa...I used to put lovely lotions on my skin after showering, but not anymore. I spray bug repellent all over at least three times a day. After showering my lotion/body spray of choice is made by Cutter. At night when they really swarm us I use a brand called Jungle Juice...It contains 100% deet.
You would think that with all this spraying I would be well protected...Well sad to say they still find a way of locating that one small spot that missed the repellent. The three of us have an on-going conversation about who has the most bites and where those tricky little guys have managed to bite us...You know...Our arms, legs, neck, forehead, eyelids, armpits, etc.
At this point I have decided that it is not a good idea to count the bites anymore...The numbers are always too high. I just put my anti-itch lotion on when the going gets tough.
I brought three different brands of anti-itch cream with me to Africa. I am down to my last tube...I have lent them out to the girls...Maybe I should ask my mom to send me more...I have a feeling I'll need it.
It is the light rainy season and we have quite a bit of rain so that is a factor with the mosquitoes being so plentiful, but they have been plentiful since I moved here in July...Aren't they getting tired of me by now?
I love living here. I am now used to sleeping with a mosquito net and the madness involved with preparing to go to sleep. I just wish those little guys...The mosquitoes here are smaller than in the U.S. but just as pesky...That they would leave me alone and let me have a day without itching and red bumps. My calves and ankles look like the chicken pox have attacked me on days when the mosquitoes are working overtime. But as the saying goes...I live in Africa now.
So I will refrain from going into detail about the bug I have named "The flying black golf ball." I will stick to the title of this blog and just talk about the mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes are everywhere. They love us. We are their favorite meal. The Africans say it is because we have soft skin. I don't know if that is true or not because I used to have soft skin before moving to Africa...I used to put lovely lotions on my skin after showering, but not anymore. I spray bug repellent all over at least three times a day. After showering my lotion/body spray of choice is made by Cutter. At night when they really swarm us I use a brand called Jungle Juice...It contains 100% deet.
You would think that with all this spraying I would be well protected...Well sad to say they still find a way of locating that one small spot that missed the repellent. The three of us have an on-going conversation about who has the most bites and where those tricky little guys have managed to bite us...You know...Our arms, legs, neck, forehead, eyelids, armpits, etc.
At this point I have decided that it is not a good idea to count the bites anymore...The numbers are always too high. I just put my anti-itch lotion on when the going gets tough.
I brought three different brands of anti-itch cream with me to Africa. I am down to my last tube...I have lent them out to the girls...Maybe I should ask my mom to send me more...I have a feeling I'll need it.
It is the light rainy season and we have quite a bit of rain so that is a factor with the mosquitoes being so plentiful, but they have been plentiful since I moved here in July...Aren't they getting tired of me by now?
I love living here. I am now used to sleeping with a mosquito net and the madness involved with preparing to go to sleep. I just wish those little guys...The mosquitoes here are smaller than in the U.S. but just as pesky...That they would leave me alone and let me have a day without itching and red bumps. My calves and ankles look like the chicken pox have attacked me on days when the mosquitoes are working overtime. But as the saying goes...I live in Africa now.
posted by Lydia | 8:26 AM
3 Comments:
don't like mosquitos anywhere, here or Africa. I saw a wasp in Kilmajaro Airport about 4 inches long...I kept an eye on it, yikes!
JO
Do you want me to get more anti-itch stuff? let me know>
freya
The Asians believe that eating lots of spices is what keeps the mosquitos away. Michaela is convinced that the garlic she eats and the salsa is doing the trick. She has not been bit since she has added these, in abundance, to her diet. Of course, it could also be that mosquito season is over :) Should I tell her that?
Connie
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