I am sick (again) in Chile. I think this is this fourth or fifth time in three months that I've been sick. I've lost count. I had a classic cold the first week I was here, followed by a sinus infection that lasted two weeks, then some nice stomach issues for two weeks after I returned home from Peru, another cold, and now the flu. Yes!
This most recent illness struck last Wednesday morning. I woke up at 6 AM, feeling like I had been repeatedly run over by a truck in my sleep. Body aches, fever, head ache. It was lovely. I somehow managed to make it to school. After my classes ended, I crawled in my bed and didn't leave for the next 30 hours. It was a dark period in my time here in Chile, and I don't like to talk about it. All I remember that happened was that I would have an incredibly high fever, take some tylenol-like medicine, eventually break my fever, and sleep for a few hours until the fever returned. This joyous cycle was on repeat until Friday afternoon, when I finally started to feel normal again. I managed to leave my room, shower, and eat lunch. And then, right when I thought I was healthy again, the virus in my system decided it wasn't finished with me yet. And so commenced my most recent "stomach issues." It's so bad that Cata jokes that maybe I should just borrow one of Juanito's diapers. (Pardon me for being so straightforward).
That's where I'm at now. I'm still sick and in bed. I've been watching a lot of TV and listening to a lot of music (I'd rather be outside enjoying the beaches of Iquique...). And now, I'm at the point where I don't even need any entertainment or music. I've turned off my TV and muted my iTunes, and I'm simply listening to the beautiful gurgles of my stomach.
I forgot to say that while I was sick a few days ago, I was seriously considering coming home early. I researched how much it would be to change my plane ticket, and I even contacted the headquarters of my program in Santiago letting them know that I was thinking about leaving. I was tentatively planning to return home on November 1st. But, I decided to hang in. I've made it three months...and there's only 5 weeks more. I know I don't want to force myself to be here if I'm not happy (nor healthy), but I feel like I'd regret leaving early. I guess I'm in it until the end.
Looking forward to the future, I'm going to Santiago next week (4th-7th) for the national debate competition with my debate team. I'm super excited about that! I love my students, and it'll be a good break from Iquique. Side note--Iquique can be very, very isolating. It sometimes feels like I'm imprisoned here. There's the vast ocean on one side, and tall sand hills on the other. Very claustrophobic. Santiago will be a good break.
Alright...that's all the typing my body can handle for now. I hope to update again soon!
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