The Amazon keeps amazing me with new ailments. After a trek through the forest for a weekend in a pair of wellington boots (official modern Kichwa dress) I am unsurprised to come away with a few blisters. I am proud of myself that I have not spent the hole weekend moaning about the state of my feet and that I seem to be more in control of the mind over matter principle of pain reduction.
Little prepares me for a day later. I awake on Monday with my ankle slightly swollen. By Monday afternoon I am in such pain that I cannot walk and return to the house in a taxi and I hop the final distance to my bed. I get it. I have got an infection and need to treat it. Even with a dislike of antibiotics I knock them back like sweets at the thought of being able to take away the pain.
Tuesday and I am working, I am teaching the teachers course. I try mind over matter but it doesn’t appear to be working. I do my best to hobble into class and arrange the tables in such a way that we can all sit and I can reach over to the board if needed. Tuesday afternoon my foot is beginning to look like a elephant foot. And I look like a wally. Every person I meet wants to have a look and has their own secret remedy to make it better.
Wednesday hallelujah I can walk again. However because someone up there likes to tease me, make my life as difficult as possible and see what I do with it – my one remaining pair of flip flops (after the river incident sent one packing) breaks as I walk through town. I then have the challenge of buying a new pair of shoes with one foot the size of an elephant. I cannot teach the next day with no shoes. I also have only come out with $6 and my feet are larger than the average women’s shoe size here. It’s obvious when I try on and fail to fit many of the flip flops that it’s clearly though I have freakily large feet for a girl. It’s a tall order. The result is the best of a bad bunch, certainly not what I would have chosen – brown, entirely plastic with diamante gems.
Thank you ailment 126 for teaching me that these things are sent to try us.
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