Dealing with illness

I arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia on 1st March 2013. This portends my second phase of the research. I must admit, I was verily prepared for Indonesia. Many upheavals and changes had left me quite emotionally drained. Nevertheless, the work must go on. I was instantly shocked at how much things cost in Jakarta. Well definitely not as bad as KL. However, it would be straining a limited stipend.

Backpackers - 6 Degrees, Jakarta

Fortunately, the gods of travel were kind to me which led me to 6 Degrees, Cikini Raya, Jakarta. It turned out to be a mixed blessing. I was very worried about the lack of privacy but I was pleasantly surprised by the pods concept available at 6 Degrees. Yes, even a curtain can make a great difference. Plus I was paying ridiculously affordable rates in one of the most expensive cities in S.E.A.

Food - killed me

Ah...food which was my undoing entirely. Fooled by a very fortunately experience in Yogjakarta where I had a smorgasbord of street food and survived. I indulged in the same habit in Jakarta. Oh my! Did I pay dearly for my mistake. I came down with one of the worst bouts of food poisoning I had ever experienced in my adulthood. I had one such incident in childhood after ingesting uncooked bean sprouts. I was hospitalized for a week. But I developed a one-sided relationship with Bonvita which has become extinct now.

Being a fool - medical care nightmares

I was very reluctant to seek medical attention because of two main things. I was unsure if it was safe. Yeah, I am sounding really ignorant I know. But I was really overwhelmed by my illness that it affect my thinking. I decided I would change my eating habits instantly. I observed a very healthy diet which sadly had no effect because I had bacterial infection. The illness started its wreckage from the 9th of March 2013.

Sluggishness - low blood pressure

I even flew to Medan on 14th of March 2013, despite my lethargy and illness. I still kept thinking it would dissipate. Despite the fact I had decent medical coverage, I still did not seek medical attention. Finally on 23rd March 2013, I decided to just see a doctor because things were just going down hill for me from that point. I went to Rumah Sakit Bunda, Medan. They had a 24 hour operational clinic. The young doctor was very kind and patient, but he did not hide his disdain when I told him I had been suffering from 9th March 2013. He gave me a decent course of antibiotic which I was still hesitant to take. He told me bluntly that it was a serious bacteria infection and it could just get worse.

Recovering from foolishness

Religiously, I imbibed the medication and literally become a monkey. I eat an entire bunch of bananas overnight. Yes, an entire bunch. Then finally the symptoms started to dissipate. I finally finished my finally course of medication and I felt my body had started behaving normally. All through it, I kept wondering what was my body trying to tell me, what was the lesson that I needed to take from this experience.

The lessons 

• You are fool if you don't seek medical attention when you are unwell.
• Your body does benefit from medicine when it is necessary.
• Respecting your body as a vessel of infinite potential is VITAL.
• Cooking for yourself is a blessing.
• The universe is always benevolent.

The Gods of the Internet

The Internet saved my life, I did a thorough search online to find a suitable clinic I could trust. I did find it. So final lesson, when in doubt....GOOGLE!