I've been suffering from a viral fever for the past week and if this experience is anything to go by, then I sure as hell never want to fall sick in this country again!
The fever started off with a mild, allergic sort of dry cough that was charming at first because people were concerned about ME. Later, when it started increasing in strength, they started saying that I should take care of it ... meaning, I should go see a doctor. As days slipped by, my cough not only got worse, I also had the added burden of a runny nose. Things got a little worse from thereon. People were always busy, they saw me and remembered they had errands to run, they had urgent phone calls to attend and if I recollect well, someone's cat died!
They were all treating me like I had the BUBONIC PLAGUE coupled with RINGWORM and EBOLA!! This despite the fact that I always cough into my shirt or hands (Whichever is available sooner), sneeze into a tissue, always wash my hands, try to keep physical contact with people to the minimum and never touch my eyes, nose or mouth when I have a cold. Yet, people looked at me suspiciously, classmates refused to shake hands, friends refrained from giving a casual hug and professors asked me to "go home and rest" lest I should lovingly share my germs with everyone around! Worse still, the doctors never give you any medicines for viral fevers saying that it takes a week to go anyways...Live with it!! They definitely sound concerned about your health, say "God bless you" and probably want you to get better soon but .... WAIT! Don't fall into that honey-trap just yet ... it's only a farce to stay miles away from you! Believe me, you'll never feel so lonely ever again ...you only want to curl up and die alone!
This never was the case in India! If you ever fell sick there, you'd know you were one among 2 million other mucus-sneezing, gut-coughing, germ-spreading citizens--those citizens who don't care about coughing into your face or sneezing into your hot plate of bhajiyas as if garnishing it with spices and herbs! You feel at home because you know, 'All ijj well' after all. Nothing can bring your strong immune system down!! We were born tough, born to resist any mutations, any germs, any bacteria, any virus, any spit-i-licious streets, any grimy gutters, any poop-filled sidewalks or other such contaminations!
People are always there to give you a hug, hold your hand, eat the bhajiyas you sneezed into or breathe the same air you exhaled .... after all, "We be of one blood ... Ye and I"!!!
The fever started off with a mild, allergic sort of dry cough that was charming at first because people were concerned about ME. Later, when it started increasing in strength, they started saying that I should take care of it ... meaning, I should go see a doctor. As days slipped by, my cough not only got worse, I also had the added burden of a runny nose. Things got a little worse from thereon. People were always busy, they saw me and remembered they had errands to run, they had urgent phone calls to attend and if I recollect well, someone's cat died!
They were all treating me like I had the BUBONIC PLAGUE coupled with RINGWORM and EBOLA!! This despite the fact that I always cough into my shirt or hands (Whichever is available sooner), sneeze into a tissue, always wash my hands, try to keep physical contact with people to the minimum and never touch my eyes, nose or mouth when I have a cold. Yet, people looked at me suspiciously, classmates refused to shake hands, friends refrained from giving a casual hug and professors asked me to "go home and rest" lest I should lovingly share my germs with everyone around! Worse still, the doctors never give you any medicines for viral fevers saying that it takes a week to go anyways...Live with it!! They definitely sound concerned about your health, say "God bless you" and probably want you to get better soon but .... WAIT! Don't fall into that honey-trap just yet ... it's only a farce to stay miles away from you! Believe me, you'll never feel so lonely ever again ...you only want to curl up and die alone!
This never was the case in India! If you ever fell sick there, you'd know you were one among 2 million other mucus-sneezing, gut-coughing, germ-spreading citizens--those citizens who don't care about coughing into your face or sneezing into your hot plate of bhajiyas as if garnishing it with spices and herbs! You feel at home because you know, 'All ijj well' after all. Nothing can bring your strong immune system down!! We were born tough, born to resist any mutations, any germs, any bacteria, any virus, any spit-i-licious streets, any grimy gutters, any poop-filled sidewalks or other such contaminations!
People are always there to give you a hug, hold your hand, eat the bhajiyas you sneezed into or breathe the same air you exhaled .... after all, "We be of one blood ... Ye and I"!!!
11 comments:
Nice likeness to what one experiences here but I think in the larger context, people do want to get your germs cos they're so rare, it gives them a rare chance to miss work, school or whatever else...
Although, touche with the mowgli touch and all... Wonder what the animals say to each other whn 1 of them sneezes ...
Hahahahahaha! loved this! & I pray you get well soon!
& If you don’t, come back home :) we got bhajjias & chicken soup :)
Nicely put...funny.
Aren't you supposed to be in bed sleeping it out? And no you are not lonely.. told you just yesterday, we are all just a phone call away. Call and I'll be there...germs or no germs :)
@Nike: The air is too pure here .... people need to fall sick often to strengthen their immune system! no wonder they take ill when they travel to other countries :P
As far as the animals go....they don't care..they just sneeze! :P
@J: Thank u dude.... I'll come home for the bhajiyas but u lost me to the chicken soup!!!
@Pooja: Thank u girl...thanks for stopping by!
@Vani: I was in bed writing this blog out...but to my defense, i was bored!
And you're Indian .... no germs will affect you! :P Thank u for your care n for reading n leaving a comment! :)
Hahahahahahaha nice one gaya. You really had a cold thats ok. You dont have to make such a fuss about it.
Any part of the world ppl do get cold and cough. In India the doctors would hv made some thousands of Rs. Probably in US the doctors dont know to make money. The best thing is that u should hv rested and that is the best time for u to hv caught up with yr old buddies.
Another one from the keys of the fighter;) now fighting cough n cold:P
ah come to India loads of hugs waiting for you to embrace those germs/infections you name it we there to take it:P
keep writing more n more while you home :)
A neat one but shouldnt this one be "Die Doctor Die":P:P:P (for not giving drowsy medicines and helping sleep:)
Guy-I am surprised how the doc didn't give you meds...here they will put you on the highest dose possible for the tiniest thing...be glad about it girl !!
Lots of hugs to you !
Get well soon... Now you know how to keep unwanted guests away in the US. Just tell them that you're down with a cold... ;)
oye why complain. We indians do more than what docs. there do . i.e. build yr immunity. Whether thuking, cheeking, khasofying etc. etc. whatever- Mera Bharat Mahan.
(germs too have a right to mutate you know n this happens ony in India ...tana tan tan tannaa.)
@Dad: i wasn't fussing...just writing what I observed! Thanks for reading though :)
@Ashu: awwwwww Thank u so much dude ... your comments keep me going n make me feel better! :)
@Pru: I have no idea ... that is just so weird. She actually said "live it out!" ..whatever that was supposed to mean :P Thanks though :)
@Amit: Words of the wise eh?! Lol ...thank u so much dude!!!
@mom: I'm not complaining...just saying that India's the best :)
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