Reasons Why Mosquitoes are Way Worse in Ghana than in Canada

Subtitle: Especially when you're sleep deprived and have been doing nothing but essay-writing for the better part of a week.

Reason Number 1

Because the mosquitoes here are not like Canadian mosquitoes that are huge, slow, clumsy, and easily squishable.

Ghanaian mosquitoes are ninjas. They are tiny and silent and they will get you, but you will never ever see them.

Reason Number 2

Because with every single mosquito bite, I look at it, and in my head, I can't help but think, "I wonder if this one gave me malaria."

Reason Number 3

Because windows, doors, and other important holes in the walls here, never seem to seal.

When you don't have to engineer buildings to keep out -30 degree winters, I guess sealing these openings is not really a priority. Some places have mosquito netting, which helps, and I typically sleep under a mosquito net, which also helps. Unfortunately, in my current set up at Carmencita's, that is not possible. And even if it were, I can't bring my mosquito net downstairs to the dining room table where my essay-writing station is currently set up.

Reason Number 4

Because I may or may not be allergic to the saliva of the mosquitoes here. Unlike in Canada, my mosquito bites in Ghana have a strange tendency to leak clear fluid. Gross.

In conclusion: I am itchy.