The Curious Incident of the Mosquito in the Night

By Claire
We are into the "roughing it" period of our trip, no question. Last night we were repeatedly dive bombed by a very persistent mosquito. You know the kind where you are wide awake and you hear the high pitched squeal that comes closer and closer and louder and louder and then stops? Meaning, it's on you or your partner's body somewhere? We tried turning on the little reading light overhead...and waited and waited. Nothing. Turn the light off, eeeeeee! EEEEEE! Stop. That was at 2 am and it was COLD inside. We think it is getting down to the low forties, maybe even high thirties now. It is the rule that whoever gets up first turns on the heater. We are so grateful for our thick comforter now. As long as we're under cover, we're warm.

And another thing: those showers! First no hot water, and now we have mildly warm water. Here's my routine:

Grab the big bag Diane gave me which holds my toothbrush, toothpaste and floss in one little bag; hairdryer and brush on the bottom, extra plastic bag for towels in the shower, washcloth and kese mitten; toiletry kit with shampoo, soap, etc. etc.

March over in the freezing cold, knowing it's only going to be a short time until you're warm and dry again.

Take a lukewarm shower in water that does not drain so you are now standing in your own gray water.

Try to reach your towel to dry your hair, wrapping your head tightly in the towel so it will really absorb the water.

Reach for large body towel and briskly dry body while using toe to drag sandals into shower area.

Step out of shower and try to balance while drying one foot with body towel. Place foot in sandal and balance to dry other foot.

Find deodorant that requires screwing up each time in order for the top to fit while standing there shivering. Maybe I don't need deodorant.

Step into warm sweat pants, again trying to maintain balance while keeping pant legs off wet floor.

Manipulate long sleeve t-shirt and sweatshirt at same time over head wrapped in towel.

Reach for shampoo, soap and kese without stepping into gray water or slipping.

Haul all to main room and reorganize.

Go to kitchen area of campground where the electric plug actually works and dry hair without mirror.

You're done!

We've been in Selҫuk (pronounced selchuck) for three days now and the sun is peeking out. We're on our way now to Pamukkale and hope we don't hit snow.

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils. ~ Louis Hector Berlioz