Enfermo

I left Esquipulas last Friday for Managua where I would reunite with my business crew. It was good to see every one again. A few of us enjoyed a ice cold theater and a movie in English with Spanish subtitles. We were late leaving the theater thus a few minutes late arriving at the office. There was a parade of protesters marching the streets near the PC office. We were told to avoid being in the city today due to potential dangerous situations, but we had to get to the office regardless. We were lucky and found a PC taxi that was able to get us to the office safe and sound.

The PC microbus was packed with backpacks and PC business volunteers for an hour ride to Pochomil on the west coast of Nicaragua. We lucked out again and stayed in a beautiful beach front resort. We were treated with three meals a day and a view of the Pacific Ocean. Although we were treated well we were stuck in lectures from 8am-5pm everyday. Ugh! 

I got in a two mile run on the beach the next morning which was nice because this would be my first run in weeks. I wish I could wake up every morning to a beach run! Unfortunately this is not the case as my site is in the mountains of Matagalpa. 

The food...ah yes the food.The food at the resort was a change of pace and a change in diet for all of us. The richness of the foods and the possible contaminated fish delivered a punch to my taste buds each time. I felt great the entire week until the last day. There is no telling what I consumed that decided to ruin my last day, but I felt like I was being devoured from the inside out. I woke up early our last morning on the coast for a walk to a pier. I was over half way there when I felt like my stomach had taken a heavy blow. I doubled over and did not think twice about continuing my journey. I asked my buddy to walk back with me. The pain continued to hit and each time it did it came back stronger. The journey back seemed like it took forever!! 

By the time I got back to my room I couldn't walk any further. I landed on the toilet for thirty minutes before I could make way to my bed. I should have been packing during this time but the pain was preventing me from doing anything. The pain ripped through my abdomen and all I could do was clench my fists and shed some tears. I honestly felt like my intestines were being sent through a shredder.

I had to take the PC microbus back to Managua. I had no other option. The back seat was saved for me to lie down for the hour ride back. I feared I could not make it any further. I closed my eyes and clenched my gut through each painful moment. I arrived at the PC med office and waited an hour in pain before I was driven to the hospital. It wasn't long before I was seen, in a bed, and hooked up to an IV. I am impressed by our medical care we receive and more impressed by the care provided at the hospital. I was able to rest for a couple hours before headed to a hotel for a couple of days to recuperate. Luckily PC foots the bill for us during any medical case...so in terms of living and food arrangements. 

I am well today and headed back to site. School begins Monday and I will be in the full swing of things again. I have a lot to do over the next few months and look forward to my journey growing as a small business Peace Corps Volunteer in Matagalpa!