I took my first sick day last week. I had been sick with a nasty cold all week, but toughed it out until Thursday morning when I woke up with the body aches feeling incredibly nauseous. I felt miserable and knew I wasn't going to make it to school. With a little sadness, I emailed detailed sub plans to the principal, and went back to sleep. I basically didn't leave my bed all day and couldn't eat anything.
Finally, my host mom decided we needed to go to the doctor. So another new thing for me-- Guatemalan doctor visit. Praise the Lord they didn't make me give a "stool sample" which I've been hearing from others they do quite frequently. Gross. He did tap on my stomach several times and then listen to it... It kind of seemed like he was waking up the creatures and then listening for them or something. Egh! Apparently there was something wrong in there, and he diagnosed me with some intestinal issue-- couldn't understand much more than that. And gave me an antibiotic. Along with 3 other medications... But I think he over prescribed. Each one was for a seperate symptom, but I think the antibiotic is really all that I needed.
I did feel better after starting the medicine, although I'm still not back to normal. I had to cancel plans to travel this weekend, which was a bummer. But I think a weekend of rest will be good. And I was proud that my Spanish held up enough to explain everything to the doctor.
Oh, and by the way, this was in relation to the cold, not the intestinal stuff, but I got lectured by my host mom and the doctor about how bad I am for taking showers in the morning and leaving with wet hair. (It is freezing here in the mornings) I've been getting those lectures my whole life, but it was a little humbling to get a double dose of it in Spanish. Oops. I still showered the next morning, but I got up early enough to dry my hair before I left :)
Another when in Guatemala moment:
You know you are in Guatemala when you show up to a birthday party over 45 minutes late and prepare to apologize to the host, when you realize...you are one of the first people there. There is such a thing called "Guatemalan time" and it runs about 30 minutes- 1 hr. behind normal time!
I'll probably be spending today making Valentine's for my class :)
Up for this week...Valentine's Day or as the Guatemalans call it Dia de Carino. (That n should have a little squiggly line over top, but I don't know how to make that on my computer)
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