water, water everywhere

I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to something in Danish water. Also that it's not a new thing since my move to Hvidovre from Herlev. I think it was just mild at first and has slowly built up the longer I'm here. I didn't notice as much until I came back from the happy place that is Istanbul.

First problem: drinking water
Danish tap water is perfectly safe to drink. But being the European snobs that they are, they don't have water fountains and only drink bottled water. So the general plan by everyone over here is to reuse bottles as much as possible and fill them up with sink water. Because a bottle is about $3. And that's awful. My stomach gets all sorts of angry every time I drink water. At first I thought it was because I'd been using the same bottle for too long. I bought a new bottle and the same thing happened as I was drinking this brand new water. Either I drink water and eat tums to be able to handle it, or get dehydrated. Agh.

Second problem: showers
This one has been slowly building and I feel like there's something in the water building up on my skin making me cry a little more every time. I don't know what it is. My body wash doesn't make it go away. It's not the body wash, I tried changing that too. But every time I come out of the shower, I itch like nobody's business. The moment the water's off, I'm pretty much in tears. I don't know why it only happens after I turn off the water, but it does. And I have no idea how to make it stop. The only solution I can think of is to stop showering, but that's gross. I tried putting lotion on, doesn't help. So I tried not putting lotion on, still no good. In any case, I'm not sure I can make it two more months without some sort of solution. It's my own personal hell.

So really, if there are any suggestions out there on how to make this stop, I'd really appreciate it. Some magical lotion that I can buy at a reasonable price in Denmark. Insights as to why my stomach is reacting to water like it's lactose. Words of encouragement. If you have anything, now's the time for it. Because I'm tempted to fly back to the states just for a shower.

Also, starting this weekend I'll be going away for my two week travel break. First to Russia, then to the UK. Next weekend there may be an update depending on how much time I have, but it's not likely. So don't be worried when there's not much activity going on over here. I promise I didn't take any extreme measures against the Danish water system :)