March 17, 2004

Come in! The water's fine!

Thac Trinh Nu, Vietnam

I went for a swim in a river today with Hilit, my travelling companion of the last few days. Hilit is a doctor by training and so well aware of just about everything that can go wrong in the tropics. The danger of the moment was Bilharzia, a tiny worm that burrows into your skin then, after a few years of no symptoms, wrecks your internal organs. Charming. We checked the waters edge for snails which are required for the worm's life-cycle. No sign so in we go.

After splashing around for a while I crawl out and sit on a rock beside a couple of young lads who have been fishing. Hilit is still happily swimming in the slow current. Making casual conversation I ask what they have in their plastic bag. They show me.

Snails.

Posted by David at March 17, 2004 12:53 AM