Night 1 and Day 2

2/26/09 @ 4:00pm

We worked at the school again today, seeing more kids for malaria screening and general assessments. It went well. We actually finished seeing the kids earlier than expected, so we agreed to see some of the village adults since the Bishop really wanted us to. We were told that “even if you can’t do anything for them, they believe that simply having you touch them will solve all the problems in the world.” We didn’t want to promote this myth, so we tried to be clear that they needed to seek treatment for most of their ailments from their community doctor. For some reason, the fact that we are from the U.S. and have white skin makes them think we are able to perform miracles on them. It’s very awkward. Dr. Talberg kept telling the people that their village doctor is “a better doctor than me.” They looked at him like he was crazy!

Last night was an absolutely miserable night for sleeping. I have never been so uncomfortable in my life. I came here completely prepared to sweat like crazy and be quite uncomfortable. But last night was unbearable. We had to keep our door and windows shut all night for security reasons. There are no ceiling fans and no electricity, which I suppose would make ceiling fans pointless anyway. There is a generator on the grounds where we are staying, but they turn it off at night. I am hoping tonight is better! Dr. Talberg, who has been here many times, said that last night was the worst he’s ever experienced. And he’s quite possibly the most easy-going, laid back person I’ve ever known. So I didn’t feel so bad when I was bordering on a panic state at 2am when I couldn’t bear it! . Steph was almost in tears from midnight until 3am. I felt like I had to keep myself somewhat collected (on the outside) in order to keep her from freaking out! Steph and I had to share an abnormally small double bed, with our two single-sized mosquito nets rigged together with hair clips, string, and rubber bands over the top of us. It was so hot we felt like we were suffocating. Kathy, one of the other nurses, got up this morning stating that it was her mission to figure out a way to get back to Lagos in order to get on a plane to go home to Minnesota today. Fortuntely, we all rallied and no one went home today. It also didn’t help that we were feeling as isolated as ever since we couldn’t make any contact with family at home since arriving here.

We are currently on the lookout for a place on the side of the road to purchase a toilet seat for the toilet in the place in the village where we are staying. For some reason, toilet seats are not standard in Nigerian bathrooms. In fact, I have yet to see one. Actually, I take that back – I have seen toilet seats, but none that are attached. Usually they are either absent completely or they are sitting on the floor next to the toilet. It’s the strangest thing.

We just tried something called sooya (I’m sure I’m not spelling that correctly, but that’s how it sounds anyway). It’s thinly-sliced, spicy beef on a stick. I’m thinking this is a new idea for the state fair…

So far I have not gotten any mosquito bites. It might be the 4 cans of Ultrathon I’ve used already.

So far the bugs aren’t too bad. I have seen a few very large spiders, but no snakes, rats or cockroaches, thank goodness!! I am also trying not to look TOO hard for these things. We have seen a lot of pretty large lizards, which I don’t mind. After all, lizards eat mosquitos! Therefore, lizards are always welcome near me.