Navigating Health Challenges While Traveling: A Personal Journey

I must admit that today I'm a little under the weather, and it's fair to say my mental clarity isn’t at its peak. Despite this, I am determined to write this blog, and I hope I’m able to convey what’s swimming around in my mind!

Carla and I have been dealing with a stubborn virus for a week now and our symptoms are not improving. However, we saw the doctor this morning and he has given us a prescription and the hope of returning to normal in a few days. But our health is not the main point of this post. Instead, I want to focus on how our being sick here in Mexico has reminded us of how often we take our good health for granted, particularly while traveling.

Being sick while traveling in a different country can deplete us of the excitement and adventure we normally feel when exploring new places. Instead, we feel vulnerable, and that is only highlighted by the fact that we don’t speak the language and are unfamiliar with the local healthcare system. The simple act of explaining our symptoms to a pharmacist is a challenge - not only in expressing our symptoms, but also in understanding the advice and instructions given in response.

The uncertainty surrounding how to navigate the local healthcare system creates an added layer of stress and the comforting familiarity of home - both physical and emotional - feels very far away. There’s no family member to bring us soup, no familiar and trusted doctor to call, and we miss the comforts of our own bed where we can convalesce in peace. This isolation only makes us feel more vulnerable and reminds us of how far we are from our safety net.

On the bright side, our illness has forced us to slow down dramatically and connect in a different way with the town we’re visiting - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We now find ourselves doing mundane tasks and errands that aren't usually a part of our travels, like getting medicine from the pharmacy, buying basic grocery items, and remaining indoors to rest. This shift in our activities cuts to the heart of a place and connects us to the rhythm of everyday life that beats beneath the surface of all the tourist attractions and activities.

Eating in rather than going out has been a different cultural experience altogether. We're learning where to find local ingredients and preparing our own simple meals.  This is not the thrilling and exotic culinary adventure we had hoped for, but it does have us brushing shoulders with the locals and gives us a glimpse into the ordinary routines that shape their lives here in San Miguel.

Although it has been frustrating, this unplanned pause in our adventures has us reflecting on the true essence of travel. For us, it's a reminder that traveling is about more than just seeing the famous landmarks or seeking extraordinary experiences. It's also about stepping into the local culture and embracing its ups and downs. Being sick in a foreign country forces us to participate in the everyday and normal life of that place. It brings us more into contact with the locals and requires humility and patience. It forces us to adapt to new situations.

We have gained a deeper understanding of San Miguel simply by doing the ordinary tasks of seeking well-being and comfort, and that has given us a kind of travel experience that, while not sought after, has been tremendously enriching and unexpectedly rewarding.

The experience of being sick while traveling serves as a poignant reminder that adventure is not only found in the extraordinary but also in the profoundly ordinary aspects of life, even when those moments are far from what we had planned.