Knowing we were coming to a third world country, we had prepared by researching and stocking up on some medications in case we had any troubles. Since both of us had suffered from water bacteria issues in Spain and Portugal, our hope was that our longer traveled stomachs and immunity would be stronger than most and we would continue to thrive, feeling fit and fantastic! We continued to remind each other and only drink mineral water, watched the family use mineral water to cook and rinse vegetables with, brush our teeth with the bottled water, shower mouths shut and carefully scrub our faces at night, and fortunately we have been blessed to have all meals at home so less risk with minimal snacking outside of safe prepping zones. The dal bhat and veggies sometimes are spicy, but I love a good curry and pepper kick! Everything seemed to be settling well, even with our new workout routines and increased appetites, enjoying snacks of popcorn, chips and salsa we had not always needed in the mid afternoons. Hydrating plenty and feeling strong entering the week, we continued to prepare for the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. Gathering for a late dinner with friends and family here on Tuesday seemed normal and perfect. I mentioned jokingly to Sarah before bed I thought I might have some heart burn, maybe from the local wine I tried or spices from dinner. As we lay down to decompress to a favorite new Netflix show, I knew something was not right. My stomach was making more noises and hurting as it gargled along. I thought maybe it would settle down. Boy I was wrong.

I soon woke up multiple times to use the bathroom, which as a reminder is a hole in the ground. The last time I came back from the bathroom when I had stood up I was spinning, seeing colors, and getting panicky. I couldn’t calm my breathing and Sarah popped up immediately to see what was wrong. I could barely talk. My hands were numb, arms tingling, and I was sweating. Sitting on the bed she was able to help me start breathing more normally again, but I told her I was scared what else was going to happen. No more than an hour after trying to rest, I jumped up so fast out of my mummy sleepy bed liner and made a bolt for it, saying to Sarah who was up now too I didn’t know which it was going to be but it’s bad. If you know me, you know I cry when I throw up and it’s just a hot mess. I hate it. So standing in a corner perched against the wall leaning over a missed round one throw up into the small hole in ground, shaking at 4am, with my best friend trying to keep me calm, is surely not my idea of a lovely evening. I seemed to purge most of my insides in the next 10 minutes. I took a quick rinse shower and tried to clean some of the mess while still getting sick. My anxiety before was definitely from that feeling in your throat when you just know it’s going to happen. Sarah ensured I was okay after the shower, thinking a bedside bucket may be good just in case, and proceeded to help rise the bathroom so it presentable for the morning, though by now it was after 5am. We put on another Netflix show and needless to say, the following day was not much more fun. 

I finally got up at 2pm to eat a banana and a little rice and go back to bed. At this point, at least no more throw up just the other problem which was still less than ideal. Considering it may have been flood poisoning, I was hopeful the effects would dissipate and after some rest and hydration, I would feel better. Basu and Sarah were running a couple errands in town and picked up some electrolytes to add to my water, along with a generic antibiotic in case I still wasn’t better. I decided if by Wednesday I was still really bad with stomach, I would switch from Imodium to the antibiotic.

Wednesday morning I was feeling weak, exhausted, but hungry. My stomach wasn’t rumbling so I was hopeful just an Imodium would knock out any reminisce. I had banana and even a bite of pomegranates for breakfast. Though stomach was still a little bad, it wasn’t worse and seemed maybe better. More electrolytes with water and some basic rice seemed appropriate. My hopes remained high and though I napped a few hours in the afternoon, I was able to get up and outside a little even for sunset on the roof. I tried a bite of the guacamole Sarah taught Indira how to make, and had some of the Lassi Mina so kindly shared as she knows it is our favorite. Rice again for dinner, but I just knew that the next day would be even better and stronger. I was wrong.

As we lay down to watch our show before bed, I told Sarah my stomach was making the craziest of sounds and killing again. I knew it wasn’t going to be throw up this time though. The pains started as high as my sternum and I could trace it all through my insides, cramping up along the way. I was hurting so bad and so up and down with what might be happening, I didn’t fall asleep until 5am. Needless to say, when I did wake up it was back to needing some kind of medicine to fix my stomach. How annoying! I was so confident that I was improving. Now my food poisoning theory was surely out the door and I knew it was likely a bad bacteria from the water, somehow, someway. Despite the precautions. I was again in bed all day, only up to use the bathroom and have a little rice with soup for dinner, along with the few bananas I could muster. “Mom” also insisted I wake in the afternoon to drink an incredibly strong smelling tea that I later learned was black salt and a remedy for any gastrointestinal issues (although in reading it also is used as a laxative, so I’m not totally sure but I don’t think it hurt me any worse). I started to discuss with Sarah the likelihood and reality of my ability to trek starting Saturday. I couldn’t help but cry, knowing the chance of my body recovering, even starting the antibiotic immediately, and feeling strong enough and confident I would not be worse was not feeling very solid. My muscles and body all so fatigued and weak, and stomach still not able to eat anything enough to support faster recovery. We decided we would be able to delay one day leaving but because of our timeline to finish and fly to Thailand.. I know I can always come back and do another trek, but reflecting on how much I feel I would miss, was making my frustrations at my body and self increase. 

Working through my gratitude and being present with myself, I came back to an awareness of how blessed I am no matter if I can trek or not. If I feel it would be too risky for my health, I would stay with Indira and the kids, continuing to learn Nepali cooking, work on the tomato farm, practicing English, and continuing to immerse in their community. If I trek, I would be with Basu guiding us, and Sarah and I would be in the mountains and see the most beautiful sights while being physically challenged. Though my heart and mind are set to go, I also know I am typically quite stubborn, and may need to work on a bit of conservative action with this adventure. When healthy, it is very common for people to experience illness and altitude sickness, needing helicoptered or escorted down. I am not trying to add that much excitement to our adventure! So as we continue to celebrate and be here with the family on Dashain, I am grateful. This celebration is for the prevailing of good over evil and blessings of good fortune and omen as we wear or traditional garments and tika. No matter what, I am so blessed. I am glad my body will recover, even if I am frustrated it’s taking as long as it is. I will have my health back. I am grateful for being part of this family and feeling safe, at home, and taken care of in my least flattering of predicaments. I am beyond grateful to be here with my best friend who has been here for all of these amazing and indescribable experiences and moments, along with those we can only laugh about after the fact because of the absurdity. I continue to grow and learn we never have arrived, and today I am reminding myself of the countless blessings along with the unpredictability of life. So no matter what happens in these next two days, and the very tough decision I’ll have to make for the trek, I am where I am meant to be in these exact moments. I pray for continued blessings and impact on the wonderful people and places we encounter along the way and can feel the healing and protective prayers from home. 

We are blessed in the abundance of Nepalese love. Namaste.