jungle fever & wild things

oh yeah, it's dengue

Not much different than the common cold or strep throat starting to make their rounds in Iowa, the tropical illness, spread by mosquitos called Dengue fever likely struck the Dehners this past week. Madeline and Ryan came down with what we think was a mild version, presenting with some low fevers, headache, fatigue, and nausea that kept us inside and changed our weekend plans. Oh well. I say likely and think so because it is not recommended that one gets a diagnostic test unless symptoms are severe. Severe Dengue is very scary and can be fatal regardless of health status or age. So, after recounting their conditions to some of the moms at school, Ryan's colleagues, our sweet, senior Airbnb hosts, and most responsibly, two separate Uber drivers, who all confidently retorted, "Sí, es dengue, " we felt secure to call the forced rest and fluids what it was. Both were better, thank goodness, in a few days.

oh my!

After everyone was feeling a bit better, we did get the chance to venture out to the Parque Zoológico del Centenario for a Sunday stroll. There are quite a few cool animals, especially lions, tigers, and iguanas. It was nice to see families enjoying time together. We took in a couple rides, the authentic surrounding foliage, and to thought it a treat to see animals closer than we normally do at home. We know we want to return.

tick tock

No, this is not the announcement that I have gone viral on TikTok. It is, however, a little reflection on how the time has passed so far. Madeline had to make a clock craft for school this week to help her learn how to read time properly and it got me thinking about how we have been here a little over a month so far. Yikes!

Time has been wild. It is both elusive and concrete here. I am certain about how much time it takes and when to do some things (walk to school, do laundry, drink water - really all the time), but many other things are a crapshoot (there is always a very long line at the grocery store, the kids homework tasks based on their energy levels, and when the Uber/bus might or might not come). At home, I can predict more, and I "feel" like I can do more, but am I really? While there is definitely a slower, tranquilo pace of things here, ironically it feels like wharp-speed. Maybe that is just adulthood? Maybe not, as the kids seem to notice it as well. They were utterly confused when I clarified it was October, when we normally visit Edward's Apple Orchard. But here with the unapologetically hot weather, and the outdoor swimming year round, they understandably assumed it was still summer. Needless to say, there is a certain flavor of time that is beginning to be paliatble to as we are trying hour-long swim lessons (the ones at home are a flash in the pan 30 min!), squeezing in a bit of doodling, and appreciating the visuals we don't have at home.

Thanks for reading!

to ward off mosquitos we were told to light our egg cartons on fire...we're willing to try anything!

here's to feeling better!

way in the distance there are two little bodies trying their best

meanwhile to pass the time I'm sweating and doodling

a colonial inspired view from the public library