After weeks in India, I was feeling surprised (and happy) that so far, I have had no vomiting or diarrhoea. Until today. I woke up at 4:00am with a churning tummy and then when I got up, threw up everything in my stomache. After that, I felt better so decided to go ahead with my plans to see the place where buddism began, a 45 min tuk-tuk ride through the city. I thought it would be a good idea to drink some water with electrolytes and take some pro-biotics. Driving through the bumpy streets, I could feel my tummy begin to swirl. When I arrived with two of my friends, I got out and walked into the already blazing heat of the day. We got our tickets and decided to walk through the gardens first. They were beautifully manicured and so unlike anywhere else. I said to the girls "what if I have to throw up" and they said, "just do it". "Where?!" I asked, with growing dread. The reply was "anywhere! This is India, get it out!". A few minutes later, there I was in the beautiful gardens, spilling my guts over the manicured hedge, monks walking past me, not even flinching. Even a little bit of pee came out to my utter embarrassment The girls had gone on with the guide, leaving me in my misery, distracting the guide, who, incidentally didn't flinch either. I was mortified!
And then humbled. I am now one of the millions of people in this country who have not a spec of privacy in their day to day lives. They do everything in public it seems - bathing, peeing, shitting, and spitting. And yet, they seem to do it with a lot more tact and grace than I did. And they don't do it in the grounds of a national monument.
I am quite a modest and private person when it comes to bodily functions. In India, it is openly talked about as a natural part of life. Even in our group, if someone is suffering with constipation or diarrhoea, we all offer advice, medications and support. One day, as we were walking a long way into the centre of the city, we stopped in the hot, crowded street at a pharmacy (more like a drive-through window) and discussed the treatment for one of our group member who was suffering with constipation. Everyone in the shop gathered around and even passersby stopped in interest. It's just not a big deal and is an important aspect of our health.
Another lesson for me to learn. So many more to come I'm sure.
In the meantime, I pray that I can get through the 15 hour overnight train journey without needing to use the toilet. But if I do, then I'll just hike up my skirt and do it!!
