Asia Tummy

     Well I did not think I would get sick until I reached India, but my time has come and I have been stuck in bed in agony these last 3 days. So I have decided to catch up on my blog writing...well to start really. I remember being sick in Brasil, when we stayed in this not so ideal hostel, but that has nothing on my new experience of Asia sick. I have been doing surprising well with food, having very few problems, and always asking how the food is made. I am horribly intolerant to any and all soy/dairy/peanut products, and choose not the eat wheat (because most of the time it is made with milk or a soy based oil). Bali has been wonderful for me because as long as I am clear that I do not want sauce on my food, everything here can be soy free and they only cook with coconut oil. I did wonderful for about a week, then on week two Asia tummy knocked me cold out...
     I had made some friends on the island Nusa Lembongan (a very small island just off the very bottom of the island towards the east), and they invited me to stay with them in Sanur (in the south part of the Bali Island) for two nights. When we had got back to Sanur form Nusa Lembongan I had a wonderful yoga class on Sanur beach, then went to dinner with my friends. I think this was the KILLER DINNER. The place was busy so I did not have second thoughts. I was able to communicate that I couldn't have Ketcup Mans (some kinda soy sauce/ketcup that the Indonesians love) or soy sauce, and the lady serving pointed to all the different foods I could have. This was like a cafeteria with all the food laid out in front of you (pre-made), and you just choose what you want to eat and it is served to you. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY FIRST RED FLAG. I even remember now another friend I met my 2nd day out here, Renae from Melbourne, telling me to be very wary of buffets because you have no idea how long the food has been sitting out there. But I seemed to have forgotten that because I was so comfortable with my friends, going out for dinner.
     Anyway, I had some rice, fried chicken, fried curried potato, egg (I think this might have been the culprit, but I'll never know for sure), and cooked vegetables. everything tasted good, and I felt fine afterwards. It was not until about 5am the next morning that the misery began. I will not go into the gory details, but I wanted to share this story in case you might be traveling anytime soon, or are traveling yourself. Word to the wise...avoid buffets if you can, and especially avoid the eggs. Although I must add that my cycling tour was all buffet, but it looked like the food was just made. After I got sick people started telling me all their "sick stories" and some of them revolved around eggs at a buffet. This is not meant to hinder you off eggs anytime you travel, I have been having wonderful egg breakfasts every morning since I have been here and have been feeling good as gold. The Indonesians are big on fried eggs with their meals. :)
     All in all, I am still alive, and kicking...first bought of Asia tummy, check. I gotta say though, traveling alone and having to deal with being super sick sucks but it has made me confident that I am now capable to handle any more ailments that come. I used to get so upset over a cold or flu, especially when my significant other or friends did not come to help take care of me (no that they should of, I was only feeling sorry for myself). But after experiencing this, and doing it alone, there will be no more weeping about having to care for myself with a measly cold.  As awful as being sick has been, it has taught me that I am stronger, and instilled a greater sense of confidence in my capacity to challenge obstacles in my path.