Travel and sickness - they go hand in hand. Whether you’re going somewhere close by or traveling to the ends of the Earth getting sick is always a possibility. New place, new food, new germs etc., our bodies just aren't used to the onslaught.
Even when taking every precaution recommended by whatever multitude of health sites found from a Google search before your trip, getting and being sick is a part of traveling to new places. And it’s something most experienced travelers have dealt with.
I recently got back from a six-week trip through Southeast Asia and I can definitely say I had my fair share of illness during that time.
An example of a "squatty potty" (the ones we used were not this pristine)
Whether puking alone into a squatty potty in the jungles of Northern Thailand for ten hours, finding myself with a 105 fever, shaking and barely able to stand in rural Cambodia, or a week long battle with incessant diarrhea and unbearable stomach pain in Siem Reap resulting in a trip to the ER. I’ll spare you all the details but I would definitely say I’m experienced on the subject.
During our time teaching in Cambodia we were faced with the task of a photo scavenger hunt. One theme was "acting out a dramatic scene in a rice field"; that day I could barely walk due to sickness so we decided on something I could easily act out...a funeral.
Most of the time you just have to wait it out, or at least that was the case for me early on in our trip. It was our first day in Lampang, Thailand and I found myself hunched over a hole in the ground making eye contact with the chicken and rice I’d had for lunch. This is how the rest of my night went. Switching between puking my guts out and looking at the wreck that was me in the mirror above the toilet.
Looking back now, it sounds pretty hilarious not to mention disgusting, but while it was happening I was beyond miserable. I couldn’t even bring myself to eat a spoonful of rice for a couple days after and constantly fell asleep throughout all our activities, thoroughly exhausted from my fun night of barfing till the sun rose.
But that’s all part of the experience. Travel can be and is unpleasant at times but it’s all worth it.
Sickness can be scary. I spent time as a walking zombie during my two weeks in Cambodia and those few days seemed like some sort of living hell in an incredible setting. With a fever trying to out do hell, a constant pounding headache, joint pain, nausea, shaking fits, diarrhea, along with countless other ailments, I was honestly worried for my life. I could barely move, couldn't bring myself to eat, couldn't sleep at night, and had never felt so weak in my entire life.
some tasteful photos of me being rushed to the clinic! I think my face speaks for itself.
I’m still alive and able to type this today but as I was being rushed in a van from the school where we were working to the clinic after almost passing out I wasn't too sure I would be.
Sickness can be scary, inconvenient, and miserable. Even taking all necessary precautions, it can catch you off guard. But you can still be sure to have an incredible trip. I spent many days this summer feeling like I was dead or dying but I wouldn't trade a second of my trip for the world.