The newest Russian word I have added to my vocabulary over here is directly related to my inability to sleep last night: комар (kah-MAR) = mosquito.
Yep, it looks like mosquito season has launched here in Moscow. I usually keep my balcony window open during the day because my room gets so stuffy and hot now, but the downside to the cool breeze are the mosquitos that are lured inside.
It's not until nighttime, though, when I turn off my light and prepare to sleep, that I hear that telltale whiny buzz next to my ear...
As a result, I barely got any sleep last night as I would JUST be drifting off when ...bzzzzzzzzz...I'd sleepily slap my hand in whatever direction the sound was coming from, but this meant that more often I'd be slapping myself - on the cheek, on the ankle, on my elbow...you get the idea! And then there's the psychological mind games mosquitos play with you when you're CONVINCED you can feel them on your skin biting you!
This morning I woke up groggy, itchy, and bent to destroy any mosquitos left in my room. I've been generous enough with my blood supply! Of course, they're silent now but I know by nightfall it will be...
bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Ah well - no rest for the weary when it's your last weekend in Moscow (before camp starts)! Off to explore the city then meet up with friends for a picnic in Tsaritsino - hope everyone is having a lovely (itch-free) weekend!
ReplyDeleteDoctors say it's good for organism to get you blood refreshed) So occasional blood spills (not in fatal quantities of course) can give your hematosis a revitalizing kick) Which will compensate the komar-engendered sleep loss I guess)
ReplyDeleteIf you plan on being back in your flat long enough for it to be worth it, you might think about investing in a good old-fashioned suspended mosquito net around your bed. They really are effective, and if your bed is big enough mosquitos can't even get close enough to your face for you to hear their whine; that only carries a couple of inches and they have to be fairly close to your ear for it to be loud enough to wake you. Then you could also enjoy the coolness of leaving your balcony window open. Sweet dreams!
ReplyDeletehahaha Kirill thank you for putting a positive spin to my woes with komari!! Mark that's an EXCELLENT idea and I actually have a mosquito net back home in Canada...I wonder what the accomodations will be like at the camp I'm going to tomorrow, there may be some mosquito netting there!
ReplyDeleteBeen enjoying your observations so much! Felt I must weigh in on the komar issues...they are so very more virulent in Russia somehow, than they are elsewhere. I wonder why? I'm working on getting some bathouses set up in my house in the US to kill them off. Don't know what else to do about it! I really enjoy your log!
ReplyDeleteWow - thank you for such a nice compliment, Jennifer!! I absolutely love reading your blog and your column for the Moscow Times, and my mum is hooked too. Your observations are so insightful and funny!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I've also noticed the bees seem to be worse here than back in North America...although they never seem to bother anyone else but me!
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