Sickness and Survival

Some call is Montezuma's Revenge. Some call it Delhi Belly. Still others call is Traveler's Sickness. I call it the worst way to spend a Sunday.

Yes, my surprising monthlong run without getting sick here in Africa came to a violent, messy end when I found myself alone in my apartment, spending quality time with my new porcelain friend as I cursed whatever it was that gave me such pain. Upon further reflection, I can now confidently point my slowly recovering finger at the tuna and mayo sandwich that I made for myself on Sunday for lunch. Though the mayonnaise was new and the tuna unopened, I have determined that something happened along whatever African assembly plant they came from that declared all out war against my body. It was a valiant fight and there was much display of honor, but in the end the casualties sustained serve to dilute the sweetness of small victory.

Now that I'm past the experience, I can look back on it as a time for growth, but Reader, let it be known that at the time, I was cursing the day I set foot on this south hemispheric soil. My hope now is that my body, after weathering such a traumatic season, is now better prepared for any potential onslaughts that could arise in Namibia and Botswana. After a fitful night of sleep, I awoke on Monday weakened, but stable. I returned to work and managed to get some stuff done, but my fatigue eventually showed itself too plainly and Pat the secretary told me to go home. I did so happily and immediately took a three hour nap.

At about 8pm I got a call from Toukam, saying that he had successfully made it to South African soil and would be in Cape Town in the next two hours. I picked him up at the abandoned and poorly lit airport and got to hear all about the random adventures he had during his 48 hours in Oklahoma. I was tickled to learn that he had mistakenly been given first class seating on the way to the states. Maybe there's hope for me in August? I'm not counting on it.

Tuesday came and went without incident- I'm making pretty significant progress with the All Nations website while working on an emergency plan and aggregating random data. The weather has been spectacular- sunny and in the 70's! I have to say, I'm getting quite used to this whole "escape summer by switching hemispheres" thing. Maybe I'll try to keep it as a normal summertime activity...

For dinner, Toukam made some chicken with mushrooms, which I regrettably didn't even touch, as my stomach was not yet 100% prepared to cooperate. I ended up having it for a snack on Wednesday, and I can testify to its deliciousness. I displayed my lack of full recovery yet again on Tuesday night by going to bed at around 10pm. I would have regretted it, but when I awoke at 7 I felt like a million bucks and as of now it seems like I am at about 90%. It was a lonely breakfast, as Toukam had left at about 7 to go to work- it's really heating up out there in the for-profit world, I guess.

Wednesday went by pretty quickly. I made a bunch of suggestions for Floyd's personal site (www.floydandsally.org), worked even more on the new All Nations site, learned how to use a voice recorder so that I could teach Floyd, continued with the emergency plan, and made sandwiches for our construction workers. I've come to be convinced that I am doing the most diverse internship of anyone at Columbia. So far as All Nations' intern, I have done research, answered phones, made coffee, made spreadsheets, managed insurance, ordered a wall built, created a website, done carpentry work, moved cement, sorted clothing drive donations, fixed computers, done grocery shopping, washed dishes, and now, made sandwiches, all in my official capacity as summer intern. I wonder what's next?

My road trip is coming up frighteningly quickly. In a little more than two weeks, I'm heading to Namibia. Before that day comes, I need to go to the mechanic, buy a gasoline container, get all my supplies, pack out of the apartment, write my will (just kidding), reserve hostels, make an itinerary, and make sure I get my All Nations paycheck (wish I wasn't kidding). Despite my lack of preparations at this moment, I am yearning to head out on the open road and experience more of Africa than just this little cape peninsula, though it has indeed treated me well. The trip's proximity isn't making it look like any less of an old school adventure. I just need to find the perfect khaki vest and safari helmet...

Tomorrow at Africa House all of the long term volunteers have been called to come together and make the place presentable for the students who will be returning from their two month outreaches around Africa next week. I think it will be a good break from desk work, and afterwards I'm going with Christianne to one of the townships to see more of what All Nations does. I'll be sure to let you know all about it. Enjoy that sun and heat!