Something got me in the jungle:

We arrived safely in Laos 2 days ago I think. Things move really slowly here. Everything is this strange natural peacefulness and laid back feel. I'm sure it can wear off, but for now - it's really peaceful and restful. The first day we just kinda hung out - went to the sauna - played cards - ate - and smoked our pipes at night while it was raining. The Lao sauna is so great. You go in the dark sauna and on careful inspection you realize there is steam drifting into the room from a pipe near the floor - at the back of the room. The steam is an experience mixed with herbs and a definite lemon grass quality. Once you're ready for a break, you head out into a room where you can sit down with a cup of good, hot tea - or take it outside to watch the Laotian sunset. At last, you're ready to head back into the sauna - at least I am - and you step back in, breathing the healing steam deep into your lungs. Showers are available to cool down and the saunas are separated by gender. It's really great.

So, the next day. We got an opportunity to take a little tour at a great price with 2 other friends we met the night before from Spain. They are from the south of Spain. We decided to jump on the bandwagon and take the day tour to see waterfalls, coffee, tea, and an ethnic village in a Tuk Tuk for 10 bucks. The tea and coffee were uninspiring. The first waterfall was huge, but we could only see it from very far away - - of course, we decided to try getting a better view by hiking down. After passing a sign that said "dangerous", which we obviously ignored, we realized it was a really slippery route. We hiked down a ways - grabbing on to vines and branches to keep us from sliding. No view - just trees and jungle. Back up we go, hopefully not having been bit by something carrying malaria. We made it up. I found that once we got up and were heading back to the Tuk Tuk I was really itchy.

I thought that since we lathered on the mosquito repellent it was reacting poorly with my sweating body. Itchy, Itchy! But, we started to the next waterfall in the Tuk Tuk. I was rubbing my arms and neck a bit, not scratching, to take away a bit of the itch and the wind helped - drying me off a bit. I soon noticed that my arms were kinda red, maybe a small rash forming. Right after that I started seeing small bumps on my left arm - they were very light, or white, compared to my red skin. More bumps were popping up. Apparently my neck was looking really bad - bumps all over it. Crap! I'm allergic to something, or got something on my skin!

We arrived at the next place. I was desperately trying not to itch myself. I took off my shirt and was washing myself with some water, and tried to wash off a bit at a near by bathroom. When I took my shoulder off I could see that my right shoulder was very affected. There was a huge red spot with small bumps all over - pretty much covering the whole shoulder! Ok, I was getting a little anxious now. We talked with our driver and walked over to the local food stalls. Apparently they know what it is? Bongo, or something. Maybe a caterpillar, maybe a leaf I touched - not sure. We rubbed down the infected areas with lime, that helped a bit, and it helped to have my body cool down a bit. It was all over, left arm, right arm, tops of both my hands, really bad on my shoulder and neck, a bit on my right cheek! They doused me with baby powder. I was feeling a little better - the driver thought it was funny and "no problem". I tossed my shirt and got a new one. I decided I would check out this waterfall - it was amazing - hard to describe the beauty. Maybe we will go back. I didn't feel like taking any pictures, like moving much at all. I didn't know what had the oil on it - and if it might spread worse on my body.

I told the driver I would like to head back by myself if possible. We found a taxi and I got back ok. I'm glad we moved to a room for the second night. The better room was basically the same price and it had ac, better beds, our own bathroom, and a tv with vcr. I took a shower, washing VERY well with soap and dried off in the ac. Things were looking and feeling a lot better. As far as I know it isn't spreading, or looking like it's spreading. Today it has itched more - I took a hot shower to see how it would affect the areas - it wasn't as good as a cold shower. I think the areas are contained, but they aren't really going away yet, hopefully soon. There is video footage of me with limes, rashes, and baby powder - so you will be able to see that when we get back! I'm just taking it easy now - trying to figure out what type of progression the rash will take and what affects it positively and negatively. Kinda crazy huh.