Friday, 19 November 2010

Insects

A Nairobi fly on the climbing frame
Yesterday and today (17th and 18th November) pretty much merged into one regarding work. I continued on the adventure playground tying knots, securing walkways and shifting sand from great heights and then started building an artificial beach, which will look great against the wooden play boat.

James was giving me the heads up on insects, particularly the Nairobi fly and giant grasshoppers, which are common for this time of year.
The Nairobi fly sports 2 red lines on it's back and although called a fly, actually belongs to the beetle family. The reason this creature is fascinating and worth a mention is if squashed it secretes an acid, which severely burns your skin much like any other chemical burn. I'm only aware of 2 other creatures that do that...The Predator and Alien...and they're not real. The healing time is around 2 weeks, so to avoid this inconvenience you're supposed to blow the insect, not brush it off. There are plenty of photos online showing the hazards of squashing one...

The giant grasshoppers are twice the size of their UK counterparts and fly into your constantly. They might be stupid, but they are tasty, a little like a bland prawn.

Yesterday evening we ate at a restaurant called 'Heritage' in town and met up with some med students. The total number ordering food was 9 and it took 3 and a half hours to arrive...the burgers were meatloaf and one girl got a plate of skinny onion rings, that said it is the best western restaurant in town if you're patient.

The volcano over Kisoro
This evening I'm having corn dogs...an american specialty...a nice change from the matoka and beans. Here is a view from where I'm eating.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Paul. Another piece of advice, watch out for the charging bulls. I had to jump over a 6ft wall to avoid one in Kisoro much to the delight of the local children. Sounds like you are having a very productive time - maybe you'll be able to combine programming with playgrounds when you get back to make use of your new skills! Mike

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  2. At least there are no jelly fish. Can you bring me back some Grasshoppers - I love prawns.

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  3. Mate sounds like your really getting stuck in! Tbh that restaurant doesn't sound dissimilar to The Buskers, like a home from home for ya.

    Keep up the good work and watch out for those flies, they sound like something out of Evil Dead!
    all the best,
    ant

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