When I decided to set off, I was well aware that over 9-10 months of travel there would be bad days. I hadn’t, however, counted on being laid up so far from shore by food poisoning.

I’d just hung up from a call with my aunt. My dear aunt had actually just asked whether I was getting anything decent to eat, to which I of course answered that the food was fantastic. An Egg Coffee had just been served, and I took a sip. Almost the instant I swallowed, my stomach started protesting. A feeling a bit like having stuffed myself with food hit me, and I started feeling unwell.

I sit with it for a bit. That was odd. I hadn’t overeaten or felt stuffed before that.

My hunch was that I’d reacted badly to the egg coffee, and that it would probably pass soon after. So I keep working on my PC for a bit. 15-20 minutes go by, and the bad feeling eases only slightly, but enough that I figure it’ll probably sort itself out. It’s getting close to 10pm, so I start packing up to head home.

As I get up, a big lump forms in my throat. I stand for a couple of minutes weighing my options. If I’m really about to get sick, I want to make it back to the hostel room.

The critical point hasn’t been reached yet by the time I get back to my room. I actually manage to settle down and lie on my back, where the worst sensations ease off. I fall asleep.

In the middle of the night I wake up. I’ve somehow ended up turned onto my side in my sleep, and my stomach is in full revolt. There’s no way around it. Out to pray at the bathroom altar. It brings relief. I drop a Resorb sachet into a glass of water, drink it down, and hop back into bed.

I actually sleep well for the rest of the night, but the next day I’m anything but motivated to go out and be a tourist. My appetite is completely gone too.

The moral: don’t say yes to the discounted spring rolls.

I feel fine again now. Before that, I quickly ran through all the good advice on how to get over food poisoning, so don’t worry. I’m back on my feet. It was very mild, and apart from a bit of nausea the day after, I haven’t had any problems. I’ve drunk plenty of water, taken my Resorb, and eaten mild, digestion-friendly food, such as banana and guava.

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