The online space of Caroline Bach
A big high-five to Google for the rainbow-coloured doodle for the Sochi Olympics.
And then there’s this brilliant piece by the Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion, of course:
“The games have always been a little gay. Let’s fight to keep them that way.”
This might turn out to be the “gayest olympics ever”, and I’m loving the world for taking a stand.
At some point I started doubting that I had actually seen that white little head peeking out from the hole in my arm. Was I imagining? Was it just fluid? Had I convinced Ady to “see something” as well? Why was there nothing in my blood?
This morning, after sleeping only for one hour, Chema took me to a dermatologist who took a look at my arm, asked a couple of questions about where I had been and then went, all excited, “Ooh, wait a minute!” and got on Google to read an article.. “Yes, yes – Myiasis!”
Myiasis is an infestation of the skin by developing larvae of a variety of fly species found in hot and humid climates. The larvae enter the skin and feed on the tissue, also they develop reversed hooks that make them difficult and dangerous to remove.
I sat there nodding and looking at the hole when, suddenly, she showed up again to get some air. “Look, there she is!!” This time we were three people who saw the curious little thing.
“They need oxygen.” the doctor said. Makes sense. “Can I call my doctor friend? This is a very unusual case and I would really like to show her!”
So we Skyped a colleague of his while I was talking to the little white creature and laughing about the absurdity of the situation. “Don’t be so sweet to her, swear to her in Polish!” the doctor laughed and prescribed what he said would kill them in maximum two days plus antibiotics to clean out any remaining infections. And “a special trick from my province, Jalisco.. chewing gum.”
So, the remedy against Myiasis?
1. A strong dose – 2 tablets of 6mg Ivermetin (Ivexterm)
2. A 7 day antibiotics cure with Amoxicillin 500mg
3. Chewing gum covering the holes to suffocate the larvae and force them out.
Friends who were with me in Estelí, please check your bites, if you have anything itchy with a central hole in it – get to a doctor immediately.
I have only seen one of three of the larvae so far, can’t wait to greet them all. Suffocated. Muhahahahaa!!
The lady next to me on the train looked much younger than she later told me she actually was. We started speaking after I had invited her for a cookie and some small talk, and what I got in return was a story about choices, war and a life on the run.
She told me about her childhood in a country always on the verge of war, living in a disputed area only a bridge away from the enemy. She was dreaming of studies abroad and awarded a visa for doing highschool overseas in the far west when war suddenly cancelled all visas and she was forced to stay. She and her family had to leave their home in a simple car, leaving all their belongings behind.
“It’s just such a stupid detail.. but I was 17 and remember that I had just bought a pair of beautiful Lee jeans, they had the perfect fit! I wanted to wear them for the first day at school.. so I decided to leave them in the house because I was so sure I would be back, but I never saw those jeans again..”
Some years later, she was on the last flight to leave the country as all airports were closed during very critical times, with the pilot getting live reports during the flight and telling everybody through the speakers about what was happening on the ground.
She went back a year later to find her country transformed. She studied. Fell crazy in love with an intense man. Got married. Had a child. Started working.
Then things worsened again. Escape. Illegal smugglers. Dangers. Fear.
“One of my girlfriends ended up in jail with horrendous conditions. /…/ I was too afraid, I couldn’t risk it with my baby.”
He went first, she came after. And then finally, of all places, cold Sweden.
Things were good. A small village in the north. Friendly people. Completely new language. Free education. Helpful strangers. New friends. New reality. New possibilities. Support.
But the person living in her home was still causing fear. Betrayal. Threat. Abuse. Psychological oppression. Pride based violence. Irrational ambivalence.
Lawyers didn’t help. Social services tried. Manipulation won.
“You can’t win a battle against a proud person if you don’t let them believe they are actually the one’s winning it.”
The realisation of rights. Custody. Another escape. Freedom.
Then she told me about life after freedom. About tranquile comfort and love without passion. About cultural differences and boredom. About work, about people, about friends, about the future, about dreams and other little details.
“You know, people always talk about choices and how the choices you made or didn’t make have shaped your life.. and I agree, I have made many choices that have changed the course of my life completely – but what about all those choices that you are forced to make, or the choices that are suddenly taken from you?”
I never asked for her name as I understood she had been given a new one.
We just hugged good-bye.
