The Week I Called in Sick

Day 24

Being sick in a foreign land sucks. Yeah, there really is no way to sugarcoat that. Now in case you’re worrying, no I haven’t been felled by the flu or some other terrible pathogen. Somehow, despite living in the middle of a city where nature really isn’t a thing, I got a sinus infection. Stranger things have happened I guess.

Well as you would guess, I didn’t do a lot of fun, amazing things this week because I been cooped up in my flat most of the time trying to kick this thing. But, here are the highlights from my sick week in London.

SATURDAY, STRATFORD Well, I spent the day much like I spent the day before it, trying to finally kick this sinus infection. I’ve been reduced to watching bad sitcoms and rom coms on Netflix (plz send help, I’m in a dark place). Thankfully, by this evening, I think I’m almost completely over the thing. It’s about time, I was getting tired of being ill.

THURSDAY, LONDON Made it to my classes today. I even got a traditional English breakfast after my morning class finished up. Not feeling my best but defiantly on the up and up. French is going to kick my butt. Three hours of a foreign language and anything that wasn’t already mushed in my head quickly turned that way. This is going to be a little more difficult than I thought.

WEDNESDAY, STRATFORD It’s a really good thing I don’t have class on Wednesdays because there is no way I would have been able to get out of bed and make it to class today. My fever thankfully broke around 4:30 this morning so I’m on the road to recovery. Netflix and I are becoming very well acquainted.

TUESDAY, STRATFORD Yeah, the sickness hit me head-on today. I got home from class around noon today and next thing I know I’m in bed and not moving. The fever got pretty bad. Not the happiest time in my life. Think I almost coughed up one of my lungs. I was planning on going out tonight too, but that most defiantly did not happen.

MONDAY, LONDON Today I reached a truly remarkable milestone. I didn’t spend a penny in London today. I know it may sound rather insignificant, but no it’s quite huge. On this truly momentous day, I also discovered the British version of House of Cards. I would argue that it is actually far better than the US version simply because it is more realistic and frankly I think I like Francis far better than Frank.

SUNDAY, WIMBLEDON Today I woke up and was feeling slightly under the weather. Nothing too bad, just a scratchy voice, but I think I might have a slight fever so that’s fun. I got a text inviting me to Ale’s birthday dinner in Wimbledon today and after looking at a map realized that I had to run immediately to the train station if I was going to make it there on time. Met Montana in the lobby and we both sprinted to the train.

An hour and a half later, we finally get to Wimbledon and the restaurant. Well, it turns out we’re a little early after all. Dinner was great and it was nice to eat real food that I didn’t have to prepare. But, there was one thing that threw me. The way service works here. As a waiter, I’ve come to expect a certain standard of service. Let’s just say that’s not how it works here. Here you apparently have to wave and scream down your server if you want anything. You also have to basically beg to get the check. And don’t get me started on how the checks work here. It was the most complicated process to pay for a meal in my life. Well, after navigating the British dinning culture, I napped a little on the train ride back thanks to being fat and happy for the first time in a couple of weeks.

It hasn’t been the best of times that’s for sure. Having to take care of yourself when there’s no else around to do it for you is quite the learning experience. I’m just glad it’s over for the most part now. As I’m writing this I feel significantly better and only have a few sniffles left. I have a few plans for the upcoming week, from seeing a show on the West End to going to Stonehenge, next week promises to be a lot better. Well, I think it’s time for me to get out of the flat if only for a few minutes, I’ll see you next Sunday.