Udibili?

On Saturday afternoon, we were off to Lilongwe. The sociology students ran some errands while the rest of us headed to the market! I think I have been there twice now, and it is one of my favorite places to go! Talking with the different people there and hearing them bartering is just so fun to me. Dr. Elliot was checking up on us that Saturday and wanted to get some souvenirs for family, so he came with us to the market. It's not one of John's favorite places at all, and Dr. Elliot seemed tired of it as well after a little while, so once they got what they came for, they wanted to leave. Emily, Renee and I were still having some fun and they wanted to get some purses made of the colorful fabric, so we kept looking around. Dr. Elliot seemed concerned for us. I told him not to worry and that we would stay together. We know how it works in the market now and it wasn't crowded because they were about to close. He seemed satisfied with that so they went back to the car to wait. I kept looking a little bit and then I met a man named Captain Jack Sparrow and another named Chichewa. They were interesting characters. I think they just think of names like that so that you will remember them better and buy from them and be able to find them within the market. I asked them to clarify the rules of Bau (also known as ntchewa). It is similar to Mancala, but more complicated. They were so nice and we started a little game. It was nice to really get the rules cemented in my brain so that I can teach everyone when I get back.

Last night, Renee showed me some of her bug bites. They were sort of big, and there was one that looked like a spider bite on the back of her upper leg. Hmmm...Doctor Whitney suggested that she not itch them and apply Afterbite and then see what it looked like in the morning. The next morning, Renee showed Emily and I her 'bug bites'. They had grown over nite! Not outwardly, but across her skin. An allergic reaction? What in the world? I looked up different things online and the only thing that sort of matched was bed bugs. I was not completely satisfied though because bed bugs will bite you at night where you are most exposed. Renee's 'bites' are mostly on her stomach, and hips. It just didn't match up completely. Emily and I checked Renee's bed for any signs of bed bugs, but no such luck. The next plan of action: ask Betha or any other english speaking native. They have knowledge and experience here that we don't. When we found Betha, she was with three other women that don't really speak english, but right when Renee lifted her shirt some to show them, they all responded immediately and came closer to look. They knew what it was. No one knew the word for it in english, but they said that it was 'udibili'. I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask them about this 'udibili'...how do you get it? what is it from? a plant? a bug? what happens if it goes untreated? Betha only had so many answers. She said that it just happens sometimes and that it just spreads. That's all I know and I guess all she knows or all the information she gave me from my questions. She said it could cover your entire body. That sounds rough to me especially with how itchy Renee felt.
It was all very interesting, and kind of scary. But don't worry, Renee went to the hospital, which is about a five minute drive if that and she got Calimime gel to put all over herself to fix it. She is already feeling better and not itching anymore. The hospital had her go to the front of the line too. Crazy stuff, right? All those other people in line, that just seems so unfair!
I'm glad she is okay and that there is a remedy!

Here are pictures from the No Bake Cookie Cake for Camille on her Birthday!

Sugar and Butter

Add milk...good thing we had just gone to the store in Lilongwe because there's no access to milk here at SAFI

Here comes the cocoa powder!

After keeping most of the ingredients at a rolling boil, we added hazelnut spread because Emily doesn't eat peanut butter and then we added the oatmeal.

The creation for Camille! We just had to let it sit! (Refrigeration is not an option.)