The Sickness

Two nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night; my body was achy and my throat felt closed off. I was worried I was having an allergic reaction to my new heavy blanket I put on my bed. I took the blanket and off and managed to get back to sleep, but I the next morning I felt drowsy and my throat was still bothering me. I went to school and battled through my first and second grades classes then went back home to rest. The day was getting progressively harder to get through. I also had a student at 5 and 6 o’clock. I was at the 5pm one, but then went to sleep and then missed my 6pm one. I did eventually wake up and felt even worse. My host family was there and I told them I didn’t feel well. My throat hurt, I was running a low fever, and I was very congested.

I was somewhat thrown off when my host mother (who asks this every time I get sick), “How are you sick? Where did you get it from?” I try to explain every time that I’m just sick. School and marshutkas are pretty much breeding grounds for little organisms. The thing is, my host mother just shrugged and said “maybe, but did you have some cold coke or water? I’ve seen you walking in the house without shoes, that’s probably it”. I try not to get too upset about this, because really, what am I going to do or say? What does bother me is when I’m told not to drink any water and try to take the water off the table for me.

I’m not sure why, but water, especially cold water has a strange stigma in Georgia. I had a fun conversation with some Georgians in the summer who said, “When I was in America whenever I got sick people would just tell me to drink water—as if water cures everything.” I’m not going to say that water cures everything, but water is needed when you’re sick. It all just goes into some of the myths and perceptions some people in Georgia have about the human body. Everything we know about sickness and disease comes from our doctors and science, but for some in my host family it comes from traditions and superstitions.

Another time a man was at our house and he proudly said he was 88 years old. I mentioned that was great and jokingly asked what his secret was. He was dead serious (I know because I asked my host mom later) and said “I’ve been smoking since I was 15 years-old, I know it’s the reason I’m still alive”. Now, most people in Georgia know that’s not true. I also don’t eat a lot of butter, and when a dish has too much oil I just eat a little bit. Once again my host mother tells me that this butter is natural and oil is good for you. Once again citing some source who lived until 90 years-old who ate a lot of butter and oil apparently.

I wouldn’t mind these beliefs as long as someone lets me do what I want (which I usually do anyway), and if I’m really sick I call Peace Corps. As Volunteers we are told not to go to a doctor or hospital in our sites. In fact, the hospital in my town is a little scary (good thing a new one is being built). If you have seen the show Ghosthunters, and have seen episodes in which they go to old abandoned hospitals. Yeah, that’s our hospital. One of my friends who is in TLG had to go to a doctor who drew a cross on his back and injected him with the needle and said “Jesus will heal you.”

As for me, I’m going to drink my tea, and sit in bed until this thing passes.