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Published: August 4th 2010
Uh how does this go?
First look at the Thai National Anthem.Today I laughed so hard at my students. They never cease to amuse me! Imagine a room full of 13 year olds staring at a long rational expression addition problem and listening to me explain everything IN English. It's quiet for a moment, then breaking the silence you hear one emphatic Oh My God! Laughter broke out followed by more Oh My God's and many kids just simply saying O.M.G.
Speaking of Oh My God, let me take a moment to back up two weeks. That was the day I like to call The Beginning. The Beginning was the first day that I got sick. Now, I got sick a few times on Apo Island and most people didn't even know. In other words, it wasn't that bad. Yes, it was traveler's diarrhea, but my immune system rocked the casbah and it only lasted a few days. The Beginning lasted a period of 3 days, during which I was stuck at home for 2 and by the third I taught and then boarded a bus bound for Chiang Mai. I thought that I was better. In reality I was entering The Accumulation phase. Webster defines accumulation as "increase or growth
I'll know this...
by the end of my contract. by addition especially when continuous or repeated." That pretty much sums up what the little bacteria, and not the good ones, were doing in my intestines. This lasted 2 days. I was still sick, but just thought that my body needed some time to heal. Plus, I was in Chiang Mai with my friends and I was bound and determined to have fun. When Monday rolled around The Downfall hit. Now, being the informed traveler that I am, prior to departing to Asia I consulted the CDC website a time or two. I remembered reading about travelers diarrhea (or TD as it's commonly referred to in travel circles) and they said that it was something like 5 watery stools in a day. Now I'm not trying to gross you out, I'm just helping you understand my situation! During The Downfall that number was hit and surpassed within a matter of a few hours.
Thankfully my friend Mrigaa took care of me! Like a morning after a night of raucous drinking where you have forever ruined yourself for, insert beverage of choice here, I hope I never have to taste orange flavored electrolyte drinks again. I cautiously boarded a bus
on Tuesday evening. Even after consuming a day's worth of the recommended amount of Immodium in a matter of a few hours I had my doubts that I'd make it through the four hour journey. I'll spare you the details of the random bus stop squat toilet. What's a real miracle is that I made it home. By day 4 of The Downfall I tried to go to work. Two things happened. One, I realized the love I have for P'Nid. This I know because as soon as I saw her at the entrance of our building I started to cry. Instantly all the vulnerability, fear and sadness that I was carrying in me came rushing out in tears. Two, I needed help. She took me to the doctor and I'm hopeful that the antibiotics killed the little buggars in my intestines!
A lot of fun, crazy, bizarre and inspiring things happened before, during and after the sickness. Such as getting engulfed by a group of high school girls outside of a 7-11 and asked if I was a lady boy. That was followed by an extremely uncomfortable situation (on my part) of them saying things like how hot
Monk visit at school
Once a month monks come to our school to collect food and water. I was. I'm still a bit scarred. Or the night that I was given a ride home by a couple that live in the shanty town by the bus station. My assumption that at some point, when the time was right, I would have an "in" there was correct. That seems heartless when I type in, but I really am curious about the people that live there. I want to know them, but have tread lightly when passing through there. I was invited to their home, offered anything and everything they had and was even given a ride home in their tuk-tuk. That was followed by a hilariously, frustrating 10 minutes of them trying to figure out their cell phone to call me. Why is it that most people I meet that have almost nothing are willing to offer it all up to you? Even if it means they'll go without. Amazing.
I woke up this morning thinking that it can't possibly be August already. But, yep, it is. My contract is up in 6 weeks and the million dollar question everyone keeps asking is, "Are you staying for another term?" The million dollar answer, "Yes." Pending life and
4 hour bus mayhem
We're packed into the back! Later a dude pucked...on my backpack. it's unpredictable twists and turns that is. For about a month now, deep down, I've known that I will be staying in Thailand. What I sorted out via an afternoon journal entry, followed that evening by an enlightening dream (that I can't even really recall now) is that I'm not going to stay in Tak. I plan to move further south, closer to Bangkok The morning following the dream I had such a renewed desire for all things here. I interpret that as the right decision...
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Julia
non-member comment
enough already!
One would have thought you'd already had enough puke and runny poo to last you at least three lifetimes. Apparently, there's really no end, or, said another way: perhaps there's always more to come...out of and around you. :) I was so sorry to miss you today and was sad that our facebook chat was so brief the other night. Let's connect! PS I'm up to a few new things, (other than nesting)...a 5-day cleanse and a family reunion. Stay tuned for more... :) Love you! Julia