The Sick Room

I now classify our room as the sick room since each girl seems to go down for a day or two as of recently with some ailment. It all started about a week ago when Lia spent 2 days in bed after what we initially thought was a hangover. The funny part is that Lia, being Canadian, knows how to handle her beer, and she didn’t drink that much to begin with. She ended up spewing after both Ecomuseu death rides (*all the roads are bumpy, hilly, and windy to and from the Museu).

That night, Doris and Sarah stayed in Mahon to experience the delights of Indian food (we crave flavor and variety after Juana’s cooking every day). They both felt ill that night, attributing it to the spicy food, and Doris ended up in bed for the next two days, completely passed out and crawling immediately back into bed if she dared arise for the bathroom.

Monday night came the real kicker when Tamsin said she was feeling ill. I exclaimed, “Who brought this sickness in here?!” She said it was Juana, our housekeeper. She has been ill with vomiting and diarrhea.

“Oh, my god! You mean she’s been puking and whatnot… and cooking all of our meals?! We’re all going to get sick!!!”

Oh, how right I was. The next morning I awoke for digging early and choked down my breakfast. I knew something wasn’t right, but I just thought my stomach was upset from being tired. The feeling continued while digging in the hot sun, but silly me, in denial that this could be “the sickness”, marched on with the idea I was just tired. After lunch, I just couldn’t take anymore. My stomach hurt with a burning, cramping passion, and I proceeded to spew multiple times in the EcoMuseu bathroom (in case you cared to know). I dreaded the EcoMuseu death ride home – would I make it?

Equipped with a double-lined plastic bag, I sat in the front seat setting my sights on one steady object, avoiding any contact with the moving outdoors. I held it in for 45 minutes of topsy-turvy roads and people asking me if I’m alright. I thought I was going to “pull a Lia” as soon as we got there. “Just find a place between two cars on the street, and you’ll be good,” she said. Luckily, I made it to the residence bathroom, and then to bed for basically the next 4 days.

I curse Juana. I curse her and her lack of hygiene and decency. I feel as though I lost a week of my time here because of it. Lia ended up getting sick again with more of the stomach illness (so maybe the first time was a hangover?) – but was definitely in bed for a few days with burning/cramping stomach. Some of the guys are also feeling a bit ill as of late.

I must say that the girls were the best in taking care of me in my time of need. Drinks, movies, medicine – all was taken care of. Thank you all for making my sickdom more bearable.