A Change in Wind

Mid September brings quite literally, a change in the wind.

Suddenly the heat increased this week, getting up to 90 something degrees during the day. The wind has picked up, blowing most of the day, and kicking up dust storms. This is about as much of "spring" as we see until we hit October, suicide month, where it can get up to 115 degrees everyday.

This week, half of Maun has been sick. The wind kicks up all the dust and pollen floating around Maun, causing everyone's allergies to go crazy. Literally everyone ran to the doctors complaining of watery eyes, incessant sneezing, runny noses etc. The allergies aren't just a nuisance, they're actually rather debilitating. My friend Sharon's eyes were swollen shut. My eyes have been red all week with drippy stuff out of my eyes and nose. Pounding headaches caused by inflamed sinuses etc. Stomach aches and pains... it goes on. Suddenly a whole town is miserable.

Making people miserable, of course makes for a hellish work week. Allergies aren't like being "sick" because you can go to work without "spreading" it to your coworkers. However, working with a bunch of other people who are not feeling well, and feeling on edge, with snappy tempers, makes work and conducting any business very difficult. A lot of people this week told me they had an awful week. I was included.

After everyone in Maun has been prescribed with Loratadine for allergies, next week should be more or less back to normal.