Bat out of Hell

Well it finally happened. We had a bat flying around not only in our apartment but in our very own small bedroom!
It was evening. We were sitting at our desk studying on our laptops. I thought I saw something and then reasoned that I was just paranoid and had seen a shadow of the fan. A few seconds went by and I saw Katie's eyes light up while remaining silent. While I studied her face as to what it meant my attentioned was quickly drawn to the bat that was making laps of our ceiling! 8-o
So far since we've arrived in Benin Katie has made light of my concern regarding these freaky flying creatures; however I am delighted to report that we were both as equally terrified.
Quickly Katie shoots up to turn off our light, while I slammed down the computers to turn their lights off and cover my head to kiss my butt goodbye. Somehow the bat exits our bedroom and I yell out, "Shut the door it's gone!" Once we were safe behind the closed door we started discussing our possible options... A. We could just stay inside our bedroom for the next two months... B. We could utilize technology and call our roommates to petition for their help (we would have had no problem resorting to option B but sadly our credit had just ran out on our phone). We were left with option C. Option C entailed cowering behind a shared umbrella with a little flashlight to guide us to the other side of the apartment to our seasoned roommates(surely they would know how to get rid of a bat). As we went we heard the squealing of the bat which is what has earned this blog it's title.
Once we were able to get the opened umbrella and both of our bodies through Francoise's ever so small door frame we slammed the door shut and informed her between breaths that there was a chauve-souris in our apartment. She looked at our wide eyes and then at our umbrella and starting laughing. She had not the least bit of concern regarding our frantically flying guest!
While still taking refuge behind our umbrella we followed our brave Batlady out of her bedroom in a valiant effort to learn what one should do when bats visit. She began by opening the windows. The bat flew towards us again and we cowered even more behind our flowery umbrella and screamed! At that point the 'What to do when bats are in your house' lesson was over and we were confined to her bedroom while she took care of business. About 5 minutes later Francoise our heroine returned to her room and told us that the bat must have left. Sheepishly we returned to our room and tried to let the adrenaline rush pass before putting oursleves to bed. Never before had we been so grateful to use our mosquito net.
Now when I see the shadow of the fan or hear it's squeak as it circulates I'm still paranoid but can you blame me?

The treasured umbrella ;)

Rebecca