I have “Central America Stomach.” That’s what I’m calling it. It’s a legit name, apparently, because it actually yields results when I Google it. It began on the morning we boarded the bus from San Salvador down to Nicaragua five days ago, and it’s only been getting worse since then.
The food is probably to blame, but I don’t care — I refuse to give up horchata and tacos.
First it was only in the evenings, after I’d had a few small meals throughout the day. I would feel the cramps beginning and politely excuse myself to use the bathroom. When I came back from the bathroom my traveling companion (whom I shall now call “B” in these posts) would laugh at how pale and traumatized I looked. I don’t blame him — I would have laughed too if it didn’t hurt so much to do so.
Now, whenever I eat or drink anything, even water, the pain starts immediately. I’ve never gotten sick during any previous trips so this is extremely foreign to me, and it’s been years since I had any serious stomach ailment at all, traveling or not. I’m trying not to be a wimp about it. These are probably the most foreign physical symptoms I’ve ever had, and this is definitely the most foreign country I’ve ever visited. Coincidence?
Little Corn Island is as beautiful as my insides are gross.
My stomach isn’t the only part of me that’s been rejecting these surroundings. Things won’t stick in my head here — the monetary conversion, no matter how many times I go over it, is something I have not been able to remember. Spanish words, things that I used to know in school when I was younger, are now completely unfamiliar to me. My ears aren’t receptive to the accent and my skin is so dry that one of my lips is almost constantly bleeding. The ground is too sandy and wet for shoes but it hurts my blistered feet without them.
I know — major case of “first-world problems” right here. I’m not trying to complain — discomfort is something I expect no matter where I travel, and I knew going in that stomach problems are often a major issue for people traveling in Central America — but I guess I’m just disappointed. Emotionally and intellectually, I’m really enjoying this region of the world so far, but my body clearly isn’t as impressed. It hasn’t stopped rejecting Central America since I arrived.
Hopefully another few beautiful strolls around Little Corn Island and several more delicious shots of Pepto Bismol will do the trick.
Oh no! Pobre!!! Maybe you should take some antibiotics?
Took several shots of Pepto Bismol and that seemed to do the trick for the most part!
Little Corn Island IS beautiful!
This is interesting, something important that’s often overlooked in travel conversations! I hope you’re able to get through this rough patch (develop an iron stomach?) and enjoy the rest of your trip!!
Sarabell recently posted..50 Nifty United States: Washington
Thank you! I did get over it and it didn’t slow me down too much. I was more stubborn than it was
We called it “Africa Belly” in Gabon but I also heard “Africa Bum” – everyone had bouts of stomach issues pretty regularly. They even recommend taking de-worming pills every 6 months just to clean out your system. It’s not pleasant. My stomach has never been the same since and I find it’s so much more sensitive now that it ever was before. I suppose sort of a lasting side-effect.
My cousin did some work in Nicaragua while working on her degree in International Relations – she’s travelled quite a bit – and had terrible issues with illness there. She said it’s the worst she’s ever experienced and it pretty much plagued her the entire time. I certainly hope yours passes quickly!
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It seems like most people I met on this trip were having some sort of problem, even if they’d traveled in this region before, so that made me feel less like a newb at least. It’s amazing how quickly strangers can bond over bodily functions when in a foreign country — I don’t think I’ve even talked to some of my closest friends about digestion in that much detail!
For next time…
Before we moved to Africa, we took the vaccine Dukoral which gives 3 months protection from cholera and traveller’s diarrhea. We found that it gave our bodies enough protection to build up some resistance. My husband also used it before travelling to Thailand and Saudi.
Jay recently posted..Seattle
When I lived in Mexico for 4 months, I had the worst recurring ailments I’ve ever experienced in my life, coming out both ends. It was violent and uncomfortable and unrelenting. I would get sick and stay sick for 3 weeks, only to be healthy for 1 week before falling ill again for another 3 weeks. Eventually I went to a hospital and got checked out, when I told the doctor my symptoms, she looked at me wide-eyed and asked me, “ARE YOU PREGNANT?” Mortified, I said no! It wasn’t even a possibility. So she inspected me further and it turned out I had gastritis and a stomach infection. However you get that.
You may want to see a local doc. Sometimes they have just the thing that you need for their unique environment and microflora.
Hang in there girly!
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Haha I love that whenever women have nausea/vomiting problems, everyone always assumes pregnancy. I certainly hope that the stomach issues I was experiencing are not typical of pregnancy, and if they are then I opt out of child bearing RIGHT NOW. It seems like everyone has a stomach story from Mexico/Central America, so I’m glad I’m not the only one. In fact, if this is such a normal thing, then I guess I had a truly authentic Central American experience. Well done, stomach.
sounds like the same thing i had happening in lithuania. except i discovered i was just constipated. but their nasty cuisine sure didnt help.
hope you’re feeling better now!
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i usually keep some chewable pepto bismol tablets stashed in my bag when i travel in places like this! i experienced “central america stomach” in colombia, peru, and bolivia! but of course, can’t stop eating the foods…. all part of the experience!
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Pepto Bismol was my savior! (there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write.) On the bright side, I now at least have something to contribute to the conversation whenever people talk about their traveling sicknesses.