Sickness. The way people react to sickness here in Guayabo is very interesting.

Yesterday, I awoke with a mild fever that progressed throughout the day and peaked at about 4pm, with 102 degrees. I slept most of the day in my bed and didn’t see anyone but my host mom that brought me occasional tea, etc. While I felt crappy, I knew I wasn’t going to die, and I knew that resting, drinking water, and taking advil were the best remedies. However, at 5pm was my nutrition class. Obviously, I wasn’t going, so my host mother spread the word to the other community women that “Leigh esta media enfermita” (Leigh is mildly ill). By 5:30 I had about 10 community members in my 1 room hut (meanwhile, it is also pouring rain) coming to see me. My mother pulled chairs into my shack and made coffee for everyone. Soon, it became social hour with little children running around with Florencia in my shack, screaming over the general chatter of the community members. I, meanwhile, was sweaty and unshowered, lying in bed dazed, not talking. Community members kept rotating in and out to see “how leigh was”. I had many people recommend I go see the doctor..or should they bring the community doctor to come see me? No, no, no—it’s just a fever (that I’ve had for less than a day!). I do not need to see a doctor.
Here in Guayabo, it is believed that the sick need company and need to be showered with love and local remedies (lots of tea with weird things in it). It is also believed that pills/injections cure everything and that viruses need to be evaluated by doctors. Hmmm…

All very different from the American mindset that sick people need peace and quiet!