2005-10-07 - 2:03 p.m.

I just pooped in a cup, a rewarding and fitting end for my trip to the south. Within the next hour I will know if I gained anything from my two-week travels, literally. It is always so amazing being in Nouakchott after being in the country for an extended period of time. This time more so than others. The Guidimaka, the southern most region of Mauritania, is far and away the most African part of Africa I’ve seen yet. I’ve been away from Nouakchott for longer periods of time, but food never tasted so good. Normally I’m quite frugal when I get here, but I went all out this time: Pizza, 2 sprites and a banana split, the equivalent of 10 American dollars, enough to normally last me a week.
The rains finally came to the Guidimaka and boy did it ever come, four days without sunlight. The normally dusty streets were transformed into a tiny Venice. During the peak of the storm some 1000 people were lined up around the only road leading out of town. The bridge was underwater and people were trying to cross moving between the cement piers spaced every five feet. Brock and I moved to the front to try and help them across. A rope was thrown out and one of the men we pulled back to safety. The other made his way back navigating the posts. Another man got caught up on the fencing after trying to swim across and show off for the crowd. Brock and I decided to leave. Idiots trying to win over the town with their swimming ability during a natural disaster can save themselves.
(written 45 minutes later) So I’m sick. I just got back from the Medical office, and my poop was thoroughly analyzed. The verdict: I have amoebas. Now this may not mean a lot to all of you, but I, as a Biology major, can elaborate on the subject. I will therefore scan my brain for relevant information on Amoebas…yes here it is. Amoebas are single celled organisms. Now that’s a college degree in application. Moving on to my Google search… Once amoebas enter the mouth, they travel through the digestive system and settle in the large intestine. In some people, symptoms are mild, consisting of mild pain and gurgling sounds in the lower abdomen, with two or three loose stools daily. In other people, however, there can be full-blown symptoms of amoebic dysentery, including high fever, severe abdominal pain and 10 or more episodes of diarrhea daily. Typically, this diarrhea is watery or contains blood and mucus…well lets just say at least I’ll be better in 20 days. That’s how long I’m on meds. Thankfully enough, I live in the veritably disease free north with little to no chance of a second exposure. Once I’m off the meds it’s through. So for now, I’m signing off.

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