Snakes in a Well

This past week I narrowly escaped the scabies attack (thank God) -- which we treated and it subsided -- but we began to wonder if something fishy was going on when the itching soon returned leaving the girls in tears, coated in baby powder, or frantically tearing off their clothes and scratching uncontrollably. Yesterday Bendang Uncle mentioned that he thought it might be due to our water supply. I've written previously about our small well and how we often run out of water, but our issues have grown a bit more....slimy. Our well is not only small but poorly positioned and has no ledge to keep dirt and grime from falling in. Before calling the 'water man' (a guy on a speeding tractor towing a water tank) some of the boys climbed inside to clean and ended up hauling out a bucket of snakes, some snails, and a frog. There are also some mysterious caterpillars hanging around that have caused allergic reactions and it is entirely possible that they have fallen in the well too. Not only have we been bathing in this water, we've been brushing our teeth with it. (In the beginning I used bottled, but my body has grown accustomed to the water so I've been using tap for everything but drinking for months now.) Our drinking water is just a filtered version of our well water, so even though it is run through our new 'purifier' it is still not the cleanest. If the water is the problem, seeing as we are running it in, over, and through our entire bodies it's no wonder everyone is feeling a bit out of whack.

Even with my immune system of steel, I can't help but feel I've got the phantom itches when I'm surrounded by all my scratching counterparts. If this is what's making everyone crazy, how do we fix it? What do you do when you are allergic to the water?

Can I get a little water up in here?

It's been almost 24 hours since we've been without running water in the new house. I know it doesn't seem like that long, but you'd be surprised at how hot and dirty things get in that span of time (especially when there is a pit toilet involved.) It doesn't help that we have a 6 year old that is having bathroom issues and soiling herself everyday and we have to fill and heave buckets of water from next door to clean ourselves, our dishes, and 'flush' the toilet. The heat is getting pretty intense here, and not that we would normally be splashing around in a sprinkler or anything to keep cool, but I've realized I've taken for granted the luxury of washing my hands and feet when I need to, and how much cooler it really does make you feel. Losing running water is not uncommon around here, in fact it happens quite often. Luckily in the big house there is a supply underneath that can be reached with buckets on a rope and it is usually fixed within half a day or so. Still, even then, things get to be a pain when there are over 70 people living there. The latest problem is with the water pump at the new house, which has its own host of problems, including the worry that the broken door to the room Nina and I share will be an invitation for scorpions and snakes when the monsoons come.

Monsoon sounds so good right now.

Water is one thing I will have an incredibly renewed appreciation for when I return home. Not just that I can actually put a glass under my faucet and drink the refreshing nectar (as much as I want!), but also the fact that when I turn the knob, water always comes out.