On a daily basis I surprise myself on how I’m able to handle the rustic setting that I’m currently living in (not that I don’t enjoy nature, but I don’t like nature in my living quarters)… termites live in my bed (hope they don’t bite), cockroaches are around (but dead as soon as I see them running around my room), mice run freely (luckily I have yet to see one in my room), rats roam the streets like they own them (I’ve watched my family kill them for supper), lizards are my wall companions (if I’m in my village alone long enough I might start talking to them), snakes are killed the minute they are spotted (I’ve witnessed death by cutlass twice now), and I haven’t seen a scorpion since day 1 or 2 in Ghana (thank God). Then there are the spiders…

The spiders have thus far seemed harmless (and I’m sure that they all are). There are the big flat spiders (yes they area called flat spiders because they are FLAT). I let them live on my wall (don’t want to be known as a spider masochist). The biggest I’ve seem them get is about the size of my palm (almost to big for my comfort). Then there are the normal small spiders (have yet to cause me any pain). If they stay out of my way, then I stay out of theirs (we have this unspoken deal.) But when I find a spider that is to big for my liking or gets in my way, then it’s death by Molly or whom ever I can find to do the deed.

The other night was going normal… dinner while watching a TV show, followed by dishes and then grant writing… when I came across a dinner plate size spider (ok maybe more like a salad plate size… but HUGE nonetheless) hanging out on my wall. I let out a large scream, dropped my computer on the bed and ran to my family. They were in the middle of pounding fufu for dinner and all started laughing when they noticed the look of disgust on my face. “Nu Ka” (“what” in Ewe) they asked me… “Spider” I responded as I held up my hands showing how big it was. Stella (the daughter-in-law) bursts out in this kackaling laugh while she grabs a broom and asks “Afi Ka?” (“Where?”) I point to my room and open the door for her to do the killing. 2 seconds later she sweeps the dead spider out of my room (I may be able to sleep after all) and gathers with the family and neighbors (who came over to see what all the commotion was about) as they all continue to laugh at me.

Embarrassing… Yes

Disgusting… Yes

Terrifying… Yes

Still giving me the chills… Yes