Last night I didn't sleep until 4:30 a.m. Jairo told me that the reason there was part of a loaf of bread eaten and the window was open was because a guasalo had come into my house. He said guasalos eat chickens, cats and small dogs. Josselyn told me to look it up on the internet but I am so glad I didn't! They are ugly things. I wouldn't have slept a wink all night.
Today Don Juan told me they are really hard to kill. It's a lot like a possum. I also couldn't sleep because all around my bed smelled like urine. I checked the sheets, blankets, floor, pillows, and sprayed the doors and windows with vinegar. I could not figure out where that smell was coming from. Individually everything seemed fresh and clean, but clearly it was not.
This morning as I was getting ready in a sleep deprived haze, I noticed Jetty sniffing the box spring in that funny way that she does when there is an odd smell around. I got down on my hands and knees and smelled the box spring. Male cat urine. There was no guasalo in my house. A male cat had come, marked its territory, ate some bread and left. That explained why the veggies were left untouched. I cleaned the box spring and headed off for the Breakfast Program.
While I was at the church I received an email from my cousin's wife inviting me to visit them at their house in Costa Rica. Next week they are hosting a team of 32 people who are visiting from the US to serve in Costa Rica. As I talked to Jairo about my trip he suggested I go while the team is visiting. He said to go for as long as I like since I could be help because I have hosted a bunch of teams during my time in Honduras. I thought that sounded incredible! I am not sure if it will work out or not, but it would be really cool to be able to translate for them and help in any way I can. I am waiting to hear if the pastor will allow me to join the team or not. (It is understandable if I can't. These sort of trips are so special, sometimes people hesitate to let an outsider in.)
When I got back home this afternoon I noticed Jetty sniffing a spot on the wall. More urine. And there was one curtain that stunk. I am sure I will find more spots as time goes on. In the meantime the curtain is soaking in vinegar and I rewashed the box spring. It has been raining since last night so in the humidity makes it hard to discern where the odors are coming from. Hopefully I've discovered most of the spots in the bedroom. I'll worry about downstairs after I get some sleep.
