Hello from Meiguo

Well, my Cambodia/Laos trip was not meant to be. I am writing from my home in Brockport, NY.

The evening when we were supposed to leave I noticed a boil on my leg. I also felt flushed. After some quick webmd.com research, I found out that a boil with a fever can be quite dangerous and that I should seek immediate medical attention. I called my parents who contacted my doctor at home.

After several dozen phone calls to various people, I left for the hospital in Anshun. Sara and Laura Leigh (foreign teachers) came with me. We met Miss Zhang, Charlie and Jack (University faculty) at the hospital. I was examined by the doctor, I had my blood drawn and tested, and was prescribed some antibiotics.

In the meantime, the rest of the group started their journey towards Laos. I decided not to go on the trip, but to go back to America, for the holiday. It was an easy decision at the time. Boils usually don't, but can get into the blood stream and cause blood poisoning, which can be fatal. It would have been unwise to be traveling in unknown areas with the symptoms I had.

My parents helped me purchase tickets home. It was 27 hours of traveling: 20 hours on planes and four flights before I got home. I'm here until February 9th. Then I'll travel back to Beijing, where I'll stay for four days for the ULS Winter Conference.

The Spring semester will start March 5th. I'm thoroughly enjoying America, but am looking forward to going back. My life is in Anshun and I like it.

P.S. "Meiguo" is Mandarin for America