Well, my Kaudwane sunburn has won the prize for worst in my entire life. I was burned Saturday morning; but the redness (purpleness), pain, and blisters increased exponentially until Wednesday night. Since it’s on both chest and shoulders, I couldn’t sleep comfortably in any position. I finally got aloe on Wednesday evening from my lovely physiotherapist (another product I can’t seem to find in my village or the nearby town). Thursday I woke to peeling, with many blisters still keeping me company. On Friday I realized that not just my skin was peeling like a leper, but my freckles were actually peeling off, leaving thin pinky-white patches all over my neck and shoulders and dirty-looking skin all over my clothes. This freaked me out, because I have never experienced this before. Blisters are no fun and all, but my freckles’ actually peeling off makes me think of permanent skin damage and of skin cancer hitting in the near-to-immediate future, rather than in old(er) age. I asked my sister, and this has never happened to her, either. In fact, I don’t know anyone who’s had freckles peel away to nothingness.

There are albinos in Botswana. All of those I’ve seen have rashy-looking peeling skin. I’d thought it looked kind of leprous (not to be mean), and believed the sun was too harsh for their delicate skin. Now I look and feel like an albino, and it isn’t fun. The sun isn’t fun.

I talked to the PCMO, who said this is normal; that people have chemical peels and use cryogenics to burn/peel off freckles. I’ve never heard of this and think it’s just sick! He said if I’m still worried I can see a dermatologist at MST (mid-service-training) in June/July. I suppose it’s good to wait till then, so we can see if damage really has set in. On one hand, maybe I shouldn’t worry, since he isn’t worried. On the other hand, the doctors I saw after the bus accident didn’t inspire me, so who knows if I’ll feel good about an exam by a dermatologist I see over here.

I really need that vacation! Soooooooo glad I’ll be in Cape Town with my Dad in 3 days! (Where the climate is more temperate.)

By the way, 11 months down, 15 to go!