Bhutan belly
My plans for a long hike and a day spent revising my conference presentation this weekend were dashed by the sudden onset of "Bhutan belly" late Friday night. One moment, I was snoozing peacefully; the next, I was dashing for the bathroom, sweating and delirious. The term 'explosive' comes to mind. By morning, I was conscious enough to realize that I should take a capsule of Cipro, every traveler's friend, and soon I was on the mend.
Here I would like to note that, despite what you may have heard back in the day, traveler's diarrhea is not necessarily a mild inconvenience that should be waited out with a bland diet of bananas, rice and toast, and lots of water. Neither should you just wait until your system 'clears out.' Sometimes, traveler's diarrhea is down right debilitating, keeping you more or less chained to the bathroom. For these times, you need Ciprofloxin. Often, one capsule will lessen the severity, and two to six doses will get rid of it completely. A few years back, during the anthrax scare in the US, it was very difficult to get in the US, but was easily available over the counter in Asia. American pharmacies are no longer hoarding it, and the travel clinic at the university gave me a generous prophylactic prescription to bring with me. I recommend that every developing country traveler carrying a bottle of at least a dozen doses of Cipro.
And, note to self: no salads in the summer. I've had a strict rule about not eating raw veggies, especially in the summer, when the monsoon rains overflow the drains and pollute the water sources, but cafe looked so clean, and the salad so inviting...
Nothing much to report from my delirious haze, but The Emperor's Children is a very good book that kept me company throughout.
Here I would like to note that, despite what you may have heard back in the day, traveler's diarrhea is not necessarily a mild inconvenience that should be waited out with a bland diet of bananas, rice and toast, and lots of water. Neither should you just wait until your system 'clears out.' Sometimes, traveler's diarrhea is down right debilitating, keeping you more or less chained to the bathroom. For these times, you need Ciprofloxin. Often, one capsule will lessen the severity, and two to six doses will get rid of it completely. A few years back, during the anthrax scare in the US, it was very difficult to get in the US, but was easily available over the counter in Asia. American pharmacies are no longer hoarding it, and the travel clinic at the university gave me a generous prophylactic prescription to bring with me. I recommend that every developing country traveler carrying a bottle of at least a dozen doses of Cipro.
And, note to self: no salads in the summer. I've had a strict rule about not eating raw veggies, especially in the summer, when the monsoon rains overflow the drains and pollute the water sources, but cafe looked so clean, and the salad so inviting...
Nothing much to report from my delirious haze, but The Emperor's Children is a very good book that kept me company throughout.
Comments
Here's something that hopefully will have you looking forward to your return: http://www.freshchoice.com/rotation_ca.html
That's right. We should go there for a meal once you're back in town (although there's just never that much meat in these restaurants). But at least Sami and Sheri like it.
Think pleasant thoughts, say, calming Lake Tahoe water, tranquil rain forest, oh wait, probably should stay away from the water element.
Trying again, think of Death Valley, Mojave desert, wait, that's a bit too extreme.
Heck, just think of Michael Phelps' chase of eight Olympic medals?
:-)