Attack!!!
Trip Start
Jan 15, 2005
1
14
16
Trip End
Jun 01, 2005
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Thursday, May 5, 2005
Warning: The opinions and statements expressed in this journal entry are not representing Peace Corps, the US government, or the Uzbekistan government.
Just wanted to share with you my first experience with 3rd world diseases. I arrived at site 3 weeks ago, and that's when it started. I would wake up every morning with bug bites on my legs, stomach, arms, hands, and feet. At first I didn't know what it was, maybe mosquitos, but the bites didn't resemble mosquito bites. My family noticed, but didn't really seem concerned and I also just decided to let it go. Well they itch like crazy and aren't real attractive, so last weekend I called the medical officer in Tashkent to get his opinion. His opinion was to come to Tashkent to see him, so I just got some hydrocortisone cream and benedril for the itching and waited it out until I could leave for Tashkent. When I got home I had to explain the situation to my family, so they weren't wondering why I was going to Tashkent. So I prepared a speech so I could better explain what was going on (my family doesn't know English), I said, "Mom, I have a problem, every night I get more bug bites, and I think I have bugs in my bed." She explained to me that every place has them, and that they bite me because the bugs don't know me. In a moment of desperation, I asked, "Well, then when can we meet." We both laughed, and laughed again later when she told my whole family what was going on.
So I came to Tashkent today to see the doctor. He looked at my bug bites, and said, "you have scavies." Lovely.. He gave me some cream to apply after a nice shower in my hotel room. Peace Corps sets us up in a hotel room if we come into Tashkent for medical reasons. So I'm going to enjoy the night in Tashkent, get a good dinner, and take care of my infestation, and relax. Tomorrow, I'll sleep in and get a nice breakfast at the hotel. So having scavies isn't all that bad.
Peace
Jenni
p.s. Big thanks for all the mail, you know it makes my day. Congrats to all the MI folks and their placement announcements. Safe travels.
