life as we know it

Monday, March 21, 2011

What's it like?

If you haven't had the opportunity to travel to a third world country, you may be interested to know what it's like. What things could look like, what they could be, what you may experience.

It may include three separate trips to the pharmacy, because who needs to go to the doctor in Ethiopia when pharmacists can prescribe anything?




And once you still aren't feeling better, it could look like a day spent at the emergency department in Ethiopia, crossing your fingers that indeed those are brand new, out of the box needles and wondering what century that x-ray machine came from.


It might include two days worth of time spent between the US Embassy and Immigration trying to have emergency passports and visas issued because someone decided they needed your wallet more than you did.



And even though you're "done" with your trip, it may look like a trip to urgent care and follow-up doctors appointments, resulting in a serious list of prescriptions, many of which need to be taken with food (or without food), once per day, twice per day, not within two hours of each other, repeat again following one minute, prn, etc, etc, etc...



Then you're back to work and for the first time feeling like yourself, just to wake up to a mysterious rash that would be diagnosed as ringworm, causing you to be sent home from work because let's be honest, a physical therapist working in the school district shouldn't be running around with a highly contagious rash on her exposed skin.





A trip to a third world country may look like a lot of inconveniences. It may seem even more expensive when the medical bills start rolling in and the "sick days used" are piling up faster than "sick days earned." None of that, absolutely none, makes it any less worth it. The joy we experienced and what we learn from those who have so little, the people that rallied around us when we were down or needed something; all of that teaches us what really matters in life.

Nick and I are settling back into things here, but not forgetting what we experienced in Ethiopia. We're looking forward to sharing more of our hearts and our trip on the blog soon! 

1 comment:

  1. You've done it again!! Inspired us even through the tough times you experienced what is really important in life. And, you came through all of it without any bitterness, not letting it take away from the wonderful people you met and what you learned.I am so looking forward to hearing more and to one day visitng myself to help. I'm so proud of both of you. And, of course, looking forward to the special little one that will make the journey from the country you love so much to live with you and call you "mom" and "dad". I hope you are feeling better. Do take good care. Much love, Mom

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