Sick as a dog

On our fifth night on Lamu, I was woken up by a terrifying sound, it was the sound of Mats throwing up (sorry to be so indiscreet), it was so violent that I thought he was about to die. That was the start of the rest of the vacation. First Mats got sick then myself and just when we thought Noah would make it, he got sick too. We all had caught some tummy bug and I tell you it wasn't pleasant! The only good thing that week was that we had moved up to the top suite with a large terrace and there we resided like in a house arrest for the remainder of the holiday.

The day before New Year's Eve I was feeling quite alright (after a few Imodium pills) and ordered food for the next day. Unfortunately I felt worse on New Year's Eve while Mats was feeling better and had two grilled lobsters and coconut prawns to himself while his other half was lying on the day bed trying not to puke by the mere thought of eating. We managed to stay awake to see the spectacular fireworks which came to a few little puffs and some sparkles, we couldn't help but being a bit amused.


On the day of leaving, Noah woke up but he was definitely not himself that morning. He was very tired and withdrawn and didn't reply when speaking to him. We got really worried and decided to call for one of two doctors working on Lamu, we caught him just before catching the boat to Shella, a lucky strike.

The doctor turned out to be a very pleasant Somalian man who seemed to know what he was doing, no witch doctor here. Poor little Noah was dehydrated and we felt like sucky parents since we hadn't managed to make him drink enough. The doctor comforted us saying that when small kids catch a tummy bug they get dehydrated very quickly. As soon as the crew of Subira House heard the news they all came running up to show their support, I got really stressed having everyone around and I asked them kindly to leave. Only later did Christina tell me that this is the way people here on Lamu show their support and I felt ashamed for having sent them away when they were being so sweet. Noah had to be put on a drip and I tell you it was not a nice thing watching them put a needle into the small veins on his hand. I actually had to look in another direction because I couldn't bare watching the whole thing and yes by the way they had to do it twice.

Anyhow, after a liter of fluid Noah's face had gotten the color back and he was smiling. We were all given medicine which we of course cross-checked with our health insurance company but everything was in order.

We flew back home later that afternoon and I was relieved the airplane was a little larger this time and the journey was quick and comfortable.

That was the end of that vacation.