Interesting surprise on a pair of shorts.
One of the main reasons I chose my volunteer position was the free housing provided at the field center. Prior to making the move, I asked my standard first question: “Are there tarantulas?” The response was just short of laughing in my face. Aside from tarantulas, we are also the proud hosts of visiting rats, bats, scorpions, moths the size of birds, and an array of mystery creatures that seek refuge in our clothing.
After a fellow volunteer got stung by a scorpion in the shower two nights ago, I thought it might be a good idea to offer a peek into the world of jungle accommodation, being sick abroad, and how best to coexist with our beastly little friends.
An important consideration before choosing a volunteer position should always be international health care. Whether your program offers it (Jesuit Volunteers Corps and Peace Corps both provide excellent health coverage) or if it is easily accessible from your location is definitely something to keep in mind. For less serious health concerns, I have found Ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal medication, vitamins, aloe, bug repellent, anti-itch spray, and a bug net to be my weapons to alleviate all discomfort.
Coming down with a bug net for my bed was a result of it being foisted upon me by my mother. At first I regarded it as merely contributing to ambiance, but it has proven to be a lifesaver. It has protected me from bats flying overhead, tarantulas lurking on the floor, and persistent biters buzzing around the room.
The boys have taken to calling him Randolph.
Often times all of these unwelcome visitors create a battle to get a good night’s sleep. There are times when I feel like I could stay up all night scratching. Additionally, sleep isn’t quite as sacred in these cultures. Therefore, the morning rituals of slamming doors and blasting the radio aren’t considered even slightly inconsiderate. To combat this, I always have a book, my headphones and iPod in bed with me. If it’s just too early for me to rouse myself or if I need a distraction from the painful itching, I settle in with soothing music and hope for another hour or two of shuteye before stumbling awake. It also has become quite natural for me to start winding down as the sun sets, and I’ve gotten over my initial resistance to 8 o’clock bedtimes (just one more hour! Please Mom!). Changing sleeping patterns can make all the difference.
In the end, no one is strong or lucky enough to avoid all health mishaps abroad. It might always be upsetting being sick without the comforts of family, friends, or Full House reruns to watch on T.V. We all want to remain tough, but sometimes you have to break down and give yourself a day or two to deal and heal.
For more information regarding life abroad, check out these other La Vida Idealist posts: “The Experience: Enjoying Your Time As a Volunteer,” “Seeing the World in New Ways,” “Living in Two Worlds at Once,” and “Talk to Me!”
Latest posts by bridgeterin
- When Your Own Hypocrisy Becomes Too Much - November 29th, 2010
- Partners in Poverty - August 31st, 2010
- Culture Shock in Central America - April 22nd, 2010
- Cooking in the Jungle: Meals Without an Oven or Refrigerator - April 8th, 2010
- When Doing Good Makes You the Bad Guy - March 25th, 2010
- "Don't get your reading material from the dump." - March 11th, 2010
- Yeah, Yeah, Right Now…Project Management Abroad - January 28th, 2010
- "Are You Peace Corps?" - January 14th, 2010
It may sound silly, but I admire your ability to adjust to living with critters. We have a lot of spiders in the house (not tarantulas tho!) and I can’t help but get the heebie jeebies thinking I’m swallowing a half a dozen of them at night.
And to add to your list of must-have medications: Cipro. Made the transition to the food here muuuuuch easier.