Spider Post!

Here are pictures that offer a glimpse into the arachnid life that we’ve seen so far here in Togo. There are two here for your viewing pleasure (if your name is Peter), and just to creep you out (if you’re everyone else!). Unfortunately, the one we got of the monster variety that so far, Joey has only seen in his shower and latrine in Agou Koumawou, is on our other camera and we can’t get it off there. These can get as big as two man-sized hands put together, and take at least a couple of whacks with the broom to kill. Resilient bastards, and apparently quite good jumpers as well! So, sorry you don’t get a look at that guy, but enjoy these two.

The first is a fairly common one that’s flat and ranges in size from a 50-cent piece to the palm of your hand. They're fast! This little guy was in my room in Agou Nyogbo, and many of you will be surprised (shocked? amazed? incredulous?) to hear that I managed to kill him all by myself with a shoe. Of course, I now realize how tiny he is in comparison to the other giants that awaited me (see below).

The other is a creepy guy that looks like he could be dangerous, the likes of which I’ve seen in a fellow volunteer’s case de santé and unfortunately also in my kitchen in Tabligbo. Our cat got to this guy (he’s missing a few legs, as you can see – good kitty!), and he was a little bigger than the cat’s head. The one in the case de santé was about the size of a grapefruit.

Hope this satisfies the curiosity of those of you who are interested in creepy crawlies (you know who you are!)…