Killer Ants and Sandstorms

Killer ants. So there are biting ants in the states and I've been bit before but nothing like this. These stupid ants bit and continuing biting until you kill them. The bite hurts for like twenty minutes and leaves a bump at least a centimeter in diameter. I think everynight for the past week I've been bit no matter how careful I am to wipe my mat off before I lay down and prompty wrap myself in my sheet. The aren't the only fun bugs that I check my sleeping area for each night. I also look for spiders the size of my hand (hobhobe), little spiders, scorpions, and another biting bug that I don't know what it is. One night I killed a big spider in my room, my host mom killed two outside, and a scorpion. That was an exciting night. In general I kill dozens of ants everyday, and a few small spiders. I think the number of insects and bugs I've killed in my life has already doubled in my month in Mauritania (that counts the mosquitos I've killed in Minnesota). My host mom is very careful for me, constantly having me bring my mat out if I'm just relaxing during the day, or anytime I'm outside at home. The kids all look out for me as well - pointing out every ant within three feet of me.



Sandstorms. So far I've experienced two during the day and was awoken one night to quickly move inside before it hit. They are pretty amazing to watch approaching. There was one today (July 29) that looked at first like the much needed rain storm. However it quickly developed into a wall of brown. I imagine the wall to be 500 feet high and across the horizon. It approaches very quickly, giving us just enough time to get everything we need inside, including lunch today. Once inside it's completely dark, considering the fact that there's no electricity and all windows are boarded shut. Flashlights aren't used except when necessary because they attract so many bugs. However, the door doesn't fit perfectly so I can watch the storm through cracks. I watch it turn from grey to brown to orange to red and back. It's pretty amazing. Today one of the boys didn't get back to the house in time so we had to open the door for him. It was my first look outside during the storm and it was crazy. The sand everywhere, blowing really strong, and stirring everything up. I'm definitely glad I wasn't out in it. It creates quite a racket on the metal roof of my house too. Loud enough that it's hard to talk over. The two sandstorms during the day have been followed by rain. The rain is much needed as even current Peace Corps Volunteers have mentioned the rain is less and later than last year. It rained a good part of this afternoon so hopefully that will slightly help. It certainly helped the temperature, making it nice and cool, perfect for a nap. :)