Two Steps Back...

Hi All!

So, last news was of John's accident. Thankyou to all the well-wishes that came from home. They were welcomed and appreciated. The day after we got back from Krabi was spent resting for John. I climbed with Nina, our friend from the accident, and did one of the best pitches in the world - the third pitch of 'Beauty and the Beast' (6b+/20) has some of the best handholds - ergonomically shaped to the minutest measurement.

The next morning I was woken by the sweet sounds of vomit and other gastro delights from the bathroom. John was violently sick for the WHOLE day. The next morning things were looking slightly better, until his temperature went through the roof. I spent the day ummming and ahhhhing and finally decided to take him to Ao Nang to see the doctor there.

The trip into Ao nang proved very difficult. There were thoughts of pulling out the stretcher again. The walk from the cabin to reception was a struggle, with delirium and nausea pulling John this way and that. The staff obviously saw our trouble because not far down the road we were greeted by a tuk tuk driver (about 13 y.o. - probabaly moonlighting in his parents stead) who gave us a lift to the water. The pre-arranged long boat disappeared when we arrived at the beach, and after a little yelling, we were able to get John on the next boat available.

The sea was dark and stormy that night my friends, and the angry waves proved the antithesis to an already sick stomach. Eventually we made it and John collapsed on the bed in the doctor's surgery (which was a damn sight cleaner and more organised than at Krabi Hospital). The doctor gave John a needle to stop nausea so he could keep antibiotics down and we moved to a hotel room across the road. The doctor ruled out any connection to the concussion saying it was bad gastroenteritis (not that there's a good kind) but it can't have helped that John's immune system would have been down after the shock of the day before.

The next three days were filled with all sorts of nasty bathroom things, endless hours of Scrubs seasons 3 and 4 on dvd (with permanent terrible and hilarious english subtitles - I think the translator picked out words s/he recognised and then made the rest up from what action was happening on the screen), glorious hot showers and airconditioning (see, it wasn't so bad for me).

When we finally got John back to Tonsai (another difficult, exhausting trip), we rested and John had his first proper meal in four days.

The last two days we have resting, John slowly building his strength back up, and me catching up on lost sleep. Yesterday John couldn't get to reception for a meal, today he made it to Railay and back. His miracle food at the moment is ham and salad sandwiches with french fries.

So tomorrow he plans to climb for the first time since his quick draw to the head, and I am itching to start work on a 7c (27) project. Thankyou again to all those emails from home - it's great to hear from you. We will reply personally when we next go to Ao Nang (hopefully out of desire rather than necessity).

So - our trip so far:
Been here two weeks, climbed for one, been off for one sick and injured.
One quickdraw to the head, one bad bug in the stomach, seven kilos gone (and four off Tiff).
Priceless.
John's trip is going well so far. Well, bad things come in threes (the first was a bruised back as a result of a hammock accident - caused by Tiff - but that's another story).

Things we miss:
HOT WATER
PORK
people who understand the word 'doctor'
food we can trust
quickdraws that land beside you
non-sandy floors
bitumen roads
road rules
the breakfast menu at Macca's
DRINKING FROM THE TAP
not having to wait two hours from when you had a shower for the toilet to dry
not having to take your own toilet paper with you everywhere
electricity anytime you need /want it (and bright lights)
our own fridge
cooking your own meals
ALL OF YOU!!!

Things we don't miss:
the weight we lost
WORK (sorry Urban)
expensive everything
the sounds of roads outside at night
John Howard
I'm sure there's lots more here but we haven't been away long enough to appreciate them.

But we have just paid a month's rent at Paasook Resort (a total of $267) so have committed ourselves to being here a little longer. With any luck, John's fortunes should be on the rise and we can report home of sunshine, smiles and sends (climbing).

Love to you all. Peace to those who seek it.
Saintrinity
John and Tiff