Panama Blog update - Lightning hit my friend - The worst Ants & Plant here ( Beware ) !

I forgot to mention in a previous blog #3 the worst ants I know of, their bite can be sore for 2 days !
here is the plant they live in ( which stings you too )

• Take note of the fern like leaves and the beyond needle sharp barbs
  Do not mess with this plant or it inhabitants, they both have the same poison to inject into your skin.
  My very first introduction was in my yard, Where there were many growing around a little forest patch.
  We had just purchased the land and it was cleanup time and all prickly plants where on the chopping block today.
  I was across the street drinking most of the day at a friends place, when I took the notion to start cleaning and was alone, with my razor sharp machete in my right hand and a leather gloved left hand.
  Well even a half drunk fool ( me ) knew by looking at that plant ( don't grab it ), But I didn't know about the resident ants laying in wait !, Some plants over 10 feet tall. These ants are very small, so I didn't notice them for quite some time, while I carefully chopped 1 large plant at a time. Using the Machete to bring the lower portion towards me ( less barbs at the bottom )
  Grabbing the lower part and dragging it to a newly forming pile to burn. I wasn't but a few plants in when I started feeling some stings, But due to the ( pain killer running through my veins ), kind of shrugged it off but only for a minute.
  Then I had my WTF moment ! looking to see what is was ANTS all over me, chewing into any flesh they could get to, and me dropping everything and slapping swiping and stripping off cloths.
  A few minutes later, satisfied all where off me, And in a pretty shitty mood walked be to the Party. Stinging all over and rubbing my wounds, related my story... ah quernos they said, Hormigas and started to laugh, while saying pica ( bite ).for the rest of the night ( while laughing ) every time I rubbed a spot, almost continual... ( ha F ing Ha ).

So in short, If you see this plant remember me. If your brave take a stick and tap a branch then step back and watch the show.
If you don't mind maybe 2 days of rubbing, let 1 bite you for the experience ? Just to share in my pain ( misery loves company ).

And while on the ant topic...

Ants don't like water, so everything ( like my dogs dish ), gets a moat put around it ( crocodile free LOL ), sugar containers or what have you. the ants will tell you where its needed most in short order...

• Last but not least lightning striking my friend
  Rafalin is a good friend, welder, electrician and general jack of all trades kind of guy. I met him through my kitchen builders ( hired to weld the roof trusses ), and we have been friends ever since.

One day last year ( while drinking rum ) I see him walking by... Hey Rafa come for a drink !
He walks up to the house and says " sorry no drinking I'm on medication " I was working on a machong ( a cement block wall that holds power meters ) and got hit by lighting yesterday ! and taking some medication for the pain around my heart.
All I can say is " Dude you lived through that some Rum won't kill you LOL "
He had to agree and rums were poured :-)
I decided I needed some pictures ( the best 1 above ). It doesn't show very well but the scar is a rope kind if design ( very ccol ), And there were scars on his left wrist too.

Super lucky guy for sure :-) - now, chores are calling :-)

but more stories coming soon....
reference blogs:

• 3. Ants ! - Fascinating, Frustrating & Mass-Murder !
• 7. Power Surges & Lightning strikes
  Thanks for reading...
  My Signature Post ---> Potential Followers Please Click HERE to get started