Interesting night. I developed a temperature, and it was clear that the bites which had transformed my lower leg into a butcher's slab had become infected. It was decided to get me into one of the rooms usually reserved for group leaders. By the time this could be put into practice, the deluge had turned the site into a quagmire reminiscent of the old Cardiff Arms Park, I couldn't see what was going on because the contact lenses were safe in their container, requiring me to be steered barefoot through the morass, hanging on to my worldly goods in Farm Foods carrier bags. I felt a complete idiot. Fortunately I didn't step on any nasties.
All I wanted to do was sleep, which I did perfectly adequately until the doctor (Fiona, from Glasgow!) arrived in mid-afternoon. The temperature had not gone down enough for her liking, and a malaria test was performed. Negative. Just the infection to contend with then. Five days' supply of anti-biotics should do the trick. There are better ways to spend $200. Mind you, I preferred my ailment to that of the girl from another truck, who stepped on a scorpion. She was vocal.
First thing to happen after rains is a massive influx of termites, followed by scorpions and snakes. Millipedes and centipedes show up later to complete the party. Two millipedes, about 15 cms long and the girth of an index finger, popped in to say hello while I was enjoying the sick bay. The smorgasbord of goodies is too much for the rodents to resist; they pop out to feast on whatever is on the menu.
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