If you watched my most recent traveling vlog: "Panama took everything OUT OF ME. Literally.", then you know where I'm going with this. If you haven't watched it, I encourage you to go see where my adventures in Panama took me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HQ0jHAnICk&t=90s
Meanwhile, let's cover the not so "fun" parts of traveling. After traveling to 9 different countries, never had I experienced becoming sick on vacation, but now I can say that though traveling can be an exhilarating experience, filled with new sights, sounds, and adventures; sometimes things don't go as planned. On my trip to Panama, I found myself battling an unexpected bout of illness, detoxification, purge (if you will) is what I called it.
I'm not entirely sure what made me think that after not drinking for about 6 months, my body would be able to handle as much alcohol as I was drinking. Obviously, not thinking, I was there to have fun and indulge freely. Or so I thought! To be honest, though I hold myself 100% responsible for my sickness, though the food at the resort played a HUGE part in my purge.
The food was unfortunately very low quality and distasteful to say the least and I will not be recommending the resort I stayed at for that reason.
Nonetheless, this experience taught me several valuable lessons:
- Be Prepared: Though I brought Tylenol with me as a pain reliever, I needed way more than that! Next time, I'm bringing a basic medical kit with essentials like fever reducers, pain relievers, and rehydration salts, also PEPTO!
- Listen to Your Body: Don't ignore the signs when you're feeling unwell. It's okay to stay I and rest so your body can recover. I ignored the first signs and ended up feeling horrible out in the town! Never doing this again.
- Stay Hydrated and Rest: Keeping hydrated and getting enough rest is vital, especially in a tropical climate (now I know!). Pushing yourself too hard can make you more susceptible to illness. Definitely bringing electrolytes with me next time.
While my trip to Panama didn't go as planned, it was still a memorable experience. It reminded me that travel is not just about the destinations and activities but also about the journey and the unexpected moments along the way. Getting sick out there was a challenge in all ways possible, but it also provided an opportunity to learn and grow.
So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, remember to take it in stride, seek help when needed, and focus on recovery. After all, the world will still be there waiting for us when we're ready to explore again.