Lizards, Ants and Other Creatures...

Lizards in the house. They're a fact of life here. Heck, they're a fact of life in many parts of the US, including Florida, where my parents live. So, last night I was sitting here at the dining table, writing some emails, and I happened to look up. I counted a total of four lizards of various sizes on the walls or ceilings in the kitchen and living/dining room (Let's just call it the 'great room').

That was no big deal. I don't mind lizards in the house, at least not here or in Florida. And, unlike my nephews, who spent as much time as they could a few years ago, frenzied and giddy, trying to capture lizards on my parents pre-Charley lanai, I pretty much let the lizards be. Now, if I have lizards in my house in Kansas, then that's another story. Also, when I say "various sizes", I'm not talking huge. The largest was maybe 6" long, head to tail. The smallest was about 2" total and very skinny. In fact, I've named the large one. He seems like he's been getting plenty to eat and is a bit of a stocky fellow. I was going to call him "Chubs", but "Gordo" seems so much more appropriate, considering where I'm living. So, Gordo it is. There was another one, with a green body and red head that I saw twice, but I haven't seen him in a few days. That's a shame; I was going to call him "Rojo".

Ants in the house. OK, now that's a different story. I remember reading Michelle's email from her time here. She mentioned something about 10 or so varieties of ants in the kitchen alone. 'Nah, they can't be that bad', I thought. Well, they can be, and last night I learned just how bad. I had made a few tacos for dinner. (Sidenote: tacos Hondureños are more like what we would call taquitos, except that after they are fried, they are served with a bit of sauce, shredded cabbage and parmesan cheese. Mighty tasty!)

Anyway, I made and ate my tacos. Then I immediately washed my dishes. That is something you must do here or the ants will take over. I had already seen that there are ants in the kitchen and it has nothing to do with a dirty kitchen. Ants just are, and I've already identified at least three different types. Anyway, apparently I missed two areas where oil must have splattered, because after I made my lizard observation, I went to the refrigerator for a little more te frio (iced tea). Ugh! Ick! and Gross! I had two moving spots of black in the kitchen: one on the stove and one on the counter. Hundreds, thousands, perhaps even millions of ants. I won't go into details, but let's just say that if these ants were in the Navy, they received a proper burial, albeit soapy and hot!!

Right after my ant encounter I spent some time online looking for ways to kill ants. Suffice it to say that on my next trip to the supermercado I will be buying a spray bottle and some white vinegar!

What about the 'other creatures'? I'm happy to report that since arriving here I have not seen a single one. Nope, not one. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero. And I'd like to keep it that way. At least some of you know that I'm talking about cockroaches. I have an aversion to them. Eww! Just thinking about them makes my skin crawl. So, I'll stop.

Leaving things on a much happier note, I've finally started to take some pictures. Here's one from my class. Don't they all look like sweet and studious?

(Well, at least for tonight, I'm having trouble posting a picture. I'll keep trying.)