The Travelling Fairy DancerWhen Sickness Strikes
July 10th 2008 10:50
My head throbbed with the effort of sitting up, my eyes stung when open and my nose was no longer a functioning breathing tool. A searing temperature raged through my body and razor blades held my throat hostage.
Meanwhile, the loud crack of fireworks signaled the start of the festival. I craned my neck from the top bunk of my hostel bedroom to see out of the tiny window. Edinburgh Castle was alight with colour and the excited cries of the crowd echoed around the cobbled streets.
On the bunk below, my loyal friend gazed longingly outside in between shooting worried glances at me. She felt my forehead, made sure I drank water and sighed in appropriate sympathy. She later told me I looked so sick and feverish she was in constant turmoil about calling a doctor (an unrealistic, expensive ordeal for a backpacker, except in dire emergencies).
After weeks of trekking, too much fun and little sleep, some indescribable bug had taken up residence in my body and decided to stay for a week. Scotland was hazy through my pain filled eyes, but beautiful all the same.
No amount of vitamin C taking or positive thinking could combat lack of sleep and nutritious food (unless you count margarita pizzas). Below is a list of items I have found most useful on my travels when sickness strikes:
Imodium: very helpful after eating meat like substances from outdoor Asian foodstalls.
Day/Night cold and flu tablets: excellent for long haul flights to keep the air ways unblocked and help with sleep, as well as contain those sudden colds.
Fibre tablets. Multivitamins.
Papaw ointment: for sunburn, minor cuts, chapped lips. You can put this stuff on anything.
Ear plugs: Sleep can cure all!
Meanwhile, the loud crack of fireworks signaled the start of the festival. I craned my neck from the top bunk of my hostel bedroom to see out of the tiny window. Edinburgh Castle was alight with colour and the excited cries of the crowd echoed around the cobbled streets.
On the bunk below, my loyal friend gazed longingly outside in between shooting worried glances at me. She felt my forehead, made sure I drank water and sighed in appropriate sympathy. She later told me I looked so sick and feverish she was in constant turmoil about calling a doctor (an unrealistic, expensive ordeal for a backpacker, except in dire emergencies).
After weeks of trekking, too much fun and little sleep, some indescribable bug had taken up residence in my body and decided to stay for a week. Scotland was hazy through my pain filled eyes, but beautiful all the same.
No amount of vitamin C taking or positive thinking could combat lack of sleep and nutritious food (unless you count margarita pizzas). Below is a list of items I have found most useful on my travels when sickness strikes:
Imodium: very helpful after eating meat like substances from outdoor Asian foodstalls.
Day/Night cold and flu tablets: excellent for long haul flights to keep the air ways unblocked and help with sleep, as well as contain those sudden colds.
Fibre tablets. Multivitamins.
Papaw ointment: for sunburn, minor cuts, chapped lips. You can put this stuff on anything.
Ear plugs: Sleep can cure all!
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