Travel Tribulations: Getting Sick While Traveling 🤒

I thought wearing a mask was a thing of the past.

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Travel Tribulations - Where I share the downsides of travel. 😰🧳

Getting sick while traveling has unfortunately occurred more often than I’d like to admit. I’ve experienced varying degrees of ailments from something as small as a food induced stomachache to something more serious like being bedridden for a couple of days due to elevation sickness.

When I was in Italy, I spent the first 1.5 days in Milan languishing in the hotel room. I was throwing up, coughing all night and confined to the bed. I had a hard time speaking Italian so my attempt to ask the Aldi grocery store employee if they sold zuppa (soup) was pointless.

Thankfully, my cough finally subsided. Unfortunately, not prior to canceling my visits to Rome and Venice. The silver lining was that I had the chance to better explore the beautiful city of Milan and rest before my long journey back to the U.S.

In 2021, I arrived in Río de Janeiro, with a slight sniffle - so I thought. Within a couple of days, it turned into a full blown cold. Less than ideal during a pandemic. 😷

A month or so later, I was sick again in Quito from elevation sickness (I talk more about it in my Ecuador post). My saving grace was that a pharmacy across the street from my hotel sold coca tea - a hotel staff recommendation. And yes - this tea is from the same plant you’re thinking about. 😬 But I was desperate and willing to try anything. Thankfully, after drinking the bitter tea, I felt better the very next day!

Needless to say, being a woman has an additional challenge that will make its appearance if I don’t plan accordingly. This is one of the main reasons why I don’t plan voyages too far in advance. 🤫😅

Although it’s scary and sometimes depressing to be sick while traveling solo, I always seem to pull through and enjoy my trip.

As a result of my travel tribulations, I always pack a small travel health kit with essential medicines, teas and homeopathics. I make sure to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest and ask for help! Over the years, I’ve learned that prioritizing my health and well-being is the key to a smoother and faster recovery.

Have you ever been sick on vacation?

What did you do?

Leave a comment below and thanks for reading 😘