Ailments and Adventures
Trip Start
Sep 15, 2003
1
41
47
Trip End
Sep 14, 2004
Where I stayed
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Who's ready for a LONG update? I will break it into sections so you can scan only what interests you!
I awoke at 5:45am this morning to the playful yipping of the owners Jack Russel puppy. I tried to ignore the sound for about half an hour before realizing how much of a blessing it was that I could hear the pup at all! You see, for the past 13 days I have been walking around in this bubble world. Life as usual is going on all around me, but all I can hear is the sounds within my own head - swallowing, chewing and that ever-beating hear. Its been bizarre to say the least - especially in place as exotic as Thailand - where I imagine everything must sound very different! Paul and I have spent the best part of 2 weeks communicating through alot of shoulder tapping and awkward hand gestures (that look suspiciously like those learned in the game of Charades I might add!) See, most people come to N. Thailand to take in the rugged scenery and breathtaking Temples - not us though! Paul and I thought it would be fun to check out the best of Thail HOSPITALS! THis was a joint decision as I am not the only one suffering an ailment.
Pauls Saga:
Pauls motorcycle mishap became a bigger problem than anticipated when his cut foot became infected and blew up to about three times its normal size. The colours were pretty though - red, yellows, and deep purples, all blended beautifully like an artists canvas! His first hospital visit resulted in yet another tetanus shot (just in case!), antibiotics to fight the infection, and pain-killers to ease pain and bring down the fever he didn't know he had! The second visit (last night) went very well as the swelling is down substantially, he is walking better and is in less pain. We had a great doctor whose english was excellent - and we learned more about Thai Monks from him in 5 minutes that we had learned in the two weeks we've been in the Kingdom! Phewww...anyone still want to hear about me?
Bonnies Saga:
Well, 3 hospital visits later (1 doctor, 2 specialists), I finally have a picture of what happened. Basically, being ill when we flew from Fiji resulted in damage to my inner ears. This, I'm told, is fairly common. Of course, my case was not so common! Seems the pressure caused tearing, or rupturing, in both ear drums - one much worse than the other! The infection in my chest and throat (aka: your standard case of strip) then moved into my ears. The already swollen eardrums were then surrounded by a layer of fluid which is causing the hearing loss. The 1000mg of amozycillan I have been taking for 13 days has proven ineffective so, last night, it was time for something more aggressive. The Ear, Nose, Throat specialist was really thorough this time - blood tests, x-rays, even a hearing test - which I did very poorly on!) He was able to show me all the results and how he had come to his decisions - which mad scientific-old-me very happy! For example, normal white blood cell count is 5000-10000. Mine was 18,000 proving the presence of an bacterial infection. WHO KNEW?! THe doctor showed Paul my throat, and I have never seen such a tough guy look so weak! This throat bit has got me the most baffled, as my throat has not really been sore! The fever (what is 38 in Fahrenheit?) is a result of the strep, and the nausea a result of all the drugs I've been on -antihistamines, anti-inflamatories, anti-pshycosis pills...just kidding! Still awake? So the mystery is unraveled. The next step in treatment are injections, the first of which I received last night, the second tonight.
Thai Cooking / Tours / Temples / Tigers:
One of these days we hope to see some of Chiang Mai! We've been here 3 nights now and haven't seen past the Internet cafe at the end of our quiet soi (sidestreet). On a leap of faith I decided to join Paul on a Thai Cooking Course today, and I am SO glad I did! It started with a tour of the market (which is an experience in itself) and an explanation of all the strange things we'd never seen before that would be our ingredients. Our leader was excellent, and it was just Paul and I in the class...so the service was very personal. We did a total of 11 Thai dishes and were so full by the end of the day they had to roll us back to the guesthouse! Tomorrow we plan to join a day trip that takes us to an elephant camp, monkey school, snake farm, and butterfly conservatory. Also, we hope to see Doi Suthep - a famous Buddist Temple overlooking Chiang Mai which we can see from our room at the Guesthouse. When not shrouded in cloud it looks like a spaceship hanging over the city as you cannot see the hills against the dark sky. Very eerie! One attraction we did manage to see before leaving Kanchanburi was the Tiger Temple (http://www.boonheng.com/indexeng.htm)which is a refuge for native tigers whose habitat has been taken over by modern progress. We were able to actually bet these beautiful ferocious cats - and we have the photos to prove it!
Cost of Living:
Its a beautiful thing that Thailand is so cheap. We are staying at the Whitehouse (thanks Ali&Phil!) and it cost 13.33 CDN / night with air-con, satellite TV, private bath, flush toilet, and even hot water. All these luxuries that we honestly don't even realize are true luxuries in many parts of the world! My advice to anyone planning a trip here in the near future: stay away from anything in the 5$/night range. You'll get what you pay for! Massive cockroaches included, and prostitutes working the room beside you! We get around on readily available pick-up truck taxis, tuk-tuks, and bicycle rickshaws - a standard one way trip costs just over a dollar! Food and drink is the same: breakfast and lunch will se you back a dollar + each, dinner 2-3 dollars (4$ including a large Chiang Beer!)
Paul posted a number of photos under the 'Motorcycle Mishap' entry, but a few of you wrote to say they were unaccessible...please try again by clicking on the 14 under the images column, and let us know if there are still problems. I could write forever and still not do the justice a single picture will.
We miss you all, and can't believe we will be home so soon.
Lots of love, Paul and Bonnie :)
