New accommodations

As mentioned earlier, Monday I moved to an expat staff's apartment while she is away traveling. The apartment is part of a giant complex which includes my building, a series of two/three storey homes laid out very similarly to a western condo/apartment complex and a third area which I haven't seen because it's behind the giant "green door" which cordons off the embassy housing from the rest of us. Along with being behind gates with a plethora of gate-men, there are three swimming pools, three tennis courts, a gym, coffee shop and spa. The complex is next to it's own little neighborhood strip mall complete with grocery store and is a five minute walk to the office.

Now that all sounds well and good - and it is. However, as with any move, your first night can be literally a rude awakening. For starters, there is no TV or internet connection in the apartment. Alright no worries there. What was causing me grief was shortly after going to bed, I had the feeling that I was being snacked upon. Flip on the light and yes I had bites but I wasn't sure what kind. So thinking it might be something in the bed, I switched to the other guest room. Things were going better but the occasional sting followed by burning indicated that yes, I was being bitten by mosquitoes. Very silent, very small but very vampire-esque beasts. In half slumber, I realized that they/it was making a small meal of my face. So a little deet mask later, and I managed through the rest of the night. Upon awakening in the morning, I was puffy-eyed and lip swollen and a bit itchy all over.

My colleague upon assuring me that my lip was more pleasantly plump than a fat-lip, arranged with the housekeeper to install a mosquito net that day. Tuesday night was much nicer. In fact, sleeping under a mosquito net has a certain romantic, out-of-Africa feel to it. AND while working from under it last night, I discovered a free wi-fi signal too. I also tried out one of the pools. It was beautiful but a little eerie having a dimly lit, deserted, night swim complete with prayer call and bats for ambiance.