After spending a wonderful time in Kribi, we came back to Yaounde. Unfortunately for me, I came back with some stomach issues. I had to travel back to Ngaoundere on Sunday the 3rd to arrive on the 4th. There are four levels of comfort on the train. I'll start with the best which is a couchette. There are 2 types of couchettes; a couchette with 2 people or with 4. I usually take the couchette with 4 people. Next, is 1st class. You're pretty much sitting on a plane for 16 hours. Last but not least is 2nd class. They tend to sell the same seat to 5 people, so just imagine. Because I traveled during the holidays, there weren't anymore couchettes so I had to take 1st class for the first time. I had someone accompanying me so it wasn't as painful, yet still very uncomfortable. I began to have a fever on the train and my stomach was still acting up. The only place I wanted to be was home, in the Bronx. Luckily, the train arrived at 10am. I rushed home and just curled myself up on my bed. I guess the Head of the Department, Dr. Wirba knew something was up and he came over. I told him my symptoms and told him that I think I have malaria and amoebas.

We went to the clinic but the lab was already closed. The doctor prescribed a few medicines and I was off again. I spend the whole day in bed. My fever kept on rising. Around 8pm the doctor called and asked me to take my temperature. I did and he ordered me to come in and spend the night at CMS. I had no choice so I asked one of the guards to walk me to the clinic. I started my treatment for malaria even though I had not been tested for it. The nurse was very nice and kept on checking on me. My ivy finished at around 2am and I just slept til the morning. I left at 6am. On my way back home, I found one of my neighbors who was on her way to come see me. She was shocked that I was up and walking alone. We came back home and ate some breakfast before having to go back to the clinic to run some test.

As I predicted, I did have malaria and amoebas, wait can't forget parasites too. I was not a happy camper. I had to sleep at the clinic 2 more times in order to finish my treatment. I must have gotten sick during the vacation. Here in Ngaoundere its too cold for mosquitoes. So I am at ease. As for eating, I rarely eat out and when I do its at the same restaurant. That was not the case over the break; I ate out almost everyday hence the amoebas and parasites.

After my 3 day treatment, I feel like myself again. Luckily we caught the malaria early; if not, it would have been a lot worse. I am grateful for having wonderful people here to help out. After a week of laying low and no work, I must go back to work today. The semester is almost up so I just have to hang in there a bit longer. This is actually the last week of classes because next week is dead weak.

How's intersession? Are you ready to go back to Scranton yet? Well I hope you are enjoying every minute of it. Take care and stay tune next week!!!

Cynthia