Well the day started early. Feeling a little better i decided to get up for Fajr and then went back to bed but couldnt sleep. After a restless thirty minutes i switched on the light and started writing an email before Analia made a suprise phone-call from Argentina. We had, I think, an hour's discussion on logistics, what to bring and all the little things that go into travel. I really enjoyed her enthusiasm and energy that she had for the trip. After a little more writing Teddy arrived at 8am to pick me to take me to the doctor.
The doctor, as Teddy had promised, was indeed very knowledgeable and thorough. He asked all the right questions, gave me a full upper body examination and had a series of test runs on my urine, stool and blood. After going back home to await the results I headed back about 2 hours later and finally had an answer to what was wrong with me. Pus and high levels of bacteria in my stool indicated a bacterial infection in my stomach. It was all a little strange as i had had no problems with my stomachs for the first 2 days of my illness. Also coincidentally the doctor was a regular visitor to Cape Town and his clinic is sponsored by a company in Cape Town (or at least South Africa). This allows him to offer much lower prices. A consultation fee is about R28 but he makes his money with his lab. While waiting at the clinic i befriended and elderly muslim gentlmen who was a physcial education teacher. He invited and insisted i come visit his school and I readily agreed as long as i was better. It once again so nice to meet some and brighten their day a little.
On the way back to the hotel i picked up the required pills, a thermometer etc and quickly gulped down my first pill willing it to work instantly. Fortunately my temperature was already down although my head was still one big blob of hot lead.
Around 1:40pm while lying in bed in my semi drunken state (not drug related :)) I heard a commotion outside that seemed to grow in strength. I thought to myself that everyone says you should not get involved in local disputes but i thought ,well maybe i could just see what was happening.
Once again all the staff were gathered around staring while the guard was having a very distraught conversation or argument ( i wasnt sure which) with a cleaning lady. The guards shirt was spattered in blood and he wore a sort of turban also covered in blood.
Seeing as no one was doing anything i quickly came out of my zombie-like state and started organizing with my new friend, Kasahun (the waiter) helping. I have been so impressed with Kasahun as you will have read. Calmly he put my requests into action. First he had to calm the very distraught guard down and get him into the restaurant. The wound was about 2 cm by 2cm and about 5-8mm deep and would definitely need stitching. Having Kasahun at hand really helped with the language barrier. First I asked them to give him a coke. Now first aid manuals ( i happened to have one) stated not to give food or drink to anyone in shock but my doctor friends tell me otherwise and I figured it would calm in down. He cant be drinking and yelling :P. With the patient calmed down, I iasked for any strong alcohol (plenty in bar :)) while i got my first aid gear. Then I cleaned the wound and put some cotton wool on to stop the bleeding while i went to fetch some Staaldruppels i realized i had. Cleaning the wound again (reminder to self not to use cotton pads on open wounds) I sponged some of the Staaldruppels in. This almost almost instantly stops the blood...fantastic stuff. Then i got my steristrips (plaster like stitches) and with Kasahun's helped pulled the torn parts together and stuck them in place...they fitted rather well :P. Then a gauze pad and a nice bandage around the head and we were done. Finally I gave him one of the shirts that was in my bag (I think its one of Rory's old ones :P) to replace his blood spattered one...yes and of course i washed my hands thoroughly :). I was surprised at myself that i could instantly flip from sick boy to action man...i guess its all about necessity!
Afterwards, after reading my first aid manual, I went back to Kasahun to get him to get the guard in a quiet place lying down with his head raised. He ended up sitting in a chair instead but hey :P. I realised afterwards that i to had an adrenline rush and was feeling much better! I also wondered what had happened because as first Kasahun was not sure. A little later he was able to tell me that at religious holidays groups of people come around begging for money for festivities. Tomorrow being one such holiday they had come around to the hotel. When the guard had said there was no money they had got violent, with two of them grabbing him and beating his head.
I wondered what i would do in said situation. Normally i am a peacebroker but in that situation with the guard already attacked i might just have gone in to help, the adrenaline overcoming any sickness. I certainly know i am capable of going beserk in defense of my family and friends. Strange that when i write this i get teary-eyed. I really miss my family and friend a whole, whole lot!!!
In the afternoon i rested and continued writing. At 5pm feeling much better, I headed to the restaurant and had some more lamb. My stomach has now shrunk to such an extent even though i am only have one meal a day my stomach cant even fit it all in and i am quite happy with it though. The meal of lamb bits was excellent and they made it specially for me with out chill (doctors orders). While i ate i watched on television a grand parade happening downtown in honour of the holiday and it was quite a spectical. Terry, my taxi driver had asked me to go but i had not been feeling well so had declined. Still it was well done and i especially like the brass band as their tunes were snappy :). I must mention how nice the staff our again with both owner having come every day while he was here to see how i was doing and offering advice. Likewise Kasahun has come 4-5 times a day to see if I need anything. Again today he invited me to a bombfire (part of the holiday celibration) and it felt so special to sitting there; the staff clearly one big family and the clients all equals just enjoying the moment. The cutest, humblest little girl got up to dance and dance she did, showing all sorts of moves belieng her age. She went on and on with a huge smile on her face clearly enjoying the dance. Likewise the guard who i had patched up earlier was equally enthuastic, dancing around like a little kid, the girl and him facing off having a wonderful time. I was so glad he was back to his normal self. The staff handed our free drinks and I had another coke not wanting to be impolite in saying no to one they had just opened for me. I also got to have a brief chat with a guy with for the African Union in the financing section. You never know where you can make a contact! It was short evening, but a memory i will certainly treasure and as i sat there i felt myself getting stronger. I knew by the end of tomorrow i would be fine again God-willing!
In the late evening i finished up some emails (including this blog :p), sent them off and headed to bed. While i was busy the guard came back to my room to drop off my chair. He thanked me profusely in his own language for helping him and i was so shy and humbled. He also tried to ask about his head but i would have to leave that for tomorrow when i could have a translator. I always feel so humbled by people who had so little, yet are so grateful. And heres a thought: Isnt it so true that in general those who have the most are the least grateful and those that have the least are the most grateful?
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