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Written by Heather Kent Nicholson-Stetz - Chef - Leg 2
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Thursday, 17 January 2008 |
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It's been an eventful morning on board and I thought it worthy of a blog. When I was in college I greatly enjoyed microbiology, mostly because my profs were so very excited to share the info. They taught the lectures from their tiptoes, gesturing hugely and encouraging us to pursue our passion for science- this was theirs-parasitology. I never planned on participating in the life cycle of this particular varmit, but you know how my results with plans are received, haha.
I've had a bite on my lower left back for a few days and it wasn't getting better. I asked Ben to look at it as he served on leg one as medical officer and Drew was off the boat. We began applying antiseptic ointment and keeping a pair of eyes on it, because I couldn't see it very well. Another bite soon after on my right shoulder blade also caused lots of pain and was tended. I asked him to lance them, hoping that would help. He said it was already weeping and to just keep it clean. They really hurt. Then, this morning, while reading my book after blogging, I reached around to gently rub the lower one and found it was hard and pointed, so I pulled on it and a one-centimeter maggot came out! I dropped it onto the hatch and called for Ben to come see, over came Barry and Eve, then Drew. We were all laughing really hard 'cuz it was so unbelievable! It was really gross. We got one photo of it before it was thrown overboard.
I called Clara Pieh RN of the Embassy and gave all the details. She said the local name is a Tumbu fly, and that she would look up the English name and tell me on Monday. I'm on my antibiotic to prevent any bacterial infection, but we still have the other one to worry about. Hopefully we can suffocate it with Vaseline and it will die asap. Yuck. So, that's been the great drama aboard the Amistad today so far. Stay tuned. Love to my people. HK
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 20 January 2008 )
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