I had grand plans for the weekend: I was supposed to go to the Bhote Kosi gorge to canyon and white water raft. On Friday, my body made other plans. Namely: purging.
All day Friday my body faithfully emptied its contents in the manner of a malicious geyser. Unable to camp out in the common bathrooms, I clutched a small rubbish bin close to my chest and tried, multiple times, to keep down the drugs I was told to take. As a frame of reference, I probably have better medical care here than most Nepali hospitals. I live with a number of doctors, nurses, and pre-med students, all of whom are eager to offer their expertise.
New in a strange country, I felt weirdly isolated and worried. What if this wasn't just a one day thing? What if I was truly, truly sick, not just food poisoned? I hadn't made any close friends yet, and it felt lonely to be so sick and surrounded by more or less strangers.
Again, I am overwhelmed by kindness. A young student here, Hayley Poy, who will be a nurse when she finishes college, not only expressed concern and sympathy, but EMPTIED AND CLEANED OUT MY VOMIT BUCKET. I don't think I have to explain why this taboo of handling a non-family member's body fluids struck me by surprise. So much surprise, that I wept. A person who barely knew me just decided she would take care of me. And did so without any hesitation or pride. I am humbled.
I wonder again: am I in Nepal because there is any good I can do? I sincerely doubt it. It seems to me as though I am being blessed immensely, but have so few resources with which to bless people in ways that truly matter.
As an update, I am not still sick. I have developed the cough that most people do because of the pollution. I sneeze black stuff. I have bought one of the masks that locals wear over their nose and mouth because the poor air quality is so unbearable. Apart from that, I am strong, I am well, I am eating (and loving it!). I am sure I shall return home in one piece...with perhaps a few extra parasites.
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