Underneath a giant painting

Hello,

This website so far has been a pretty good summation of everything that has happened on my travels, so in keeping with that, i must get somewhat more personal for this one...

I've decided that i liked fiji so much that i would take some of it with me--in the form of a stomach parasite (or bacteria or whatever it happens to be). I haven't been well for the last 9 days or so. don't get me wrong, i'm having a great time and this has definitely added to the memoriability/enjoyment of the trip. you can't have a year long trip around the world without one of these, so its better to get it out of the way.

two days ago i asked a girl who had a lonely planet guide if i could look at a few of the maps (i wanted to see where frasier island was). the guidebook turned out to be french, as well as the girl, lucie. she convinced me to not go to bondi beach and to stay in the blue mountains for one more day to check out the caves that are there. the caves where sweet (910 more stairs!) and now i'm in sydney with lucie, who turns out to be a nurse that has been working in new caledonia. doctors/nurses seem to appear when i am in need of repair.

so today was one of the funniest medical clinic moments of my life. i'll do my best to explain without using too many words. when you check in you fill out a small form and wait in a certain area of chairs where everyone is quiet. then the doctor sees you and if you need any tests done you have to sit on the other side of the room in three chairs underneath a giant painting. this by far was the best part--everyone there looks at each others papers and talks about what got them there. i'm glad i wasn't the last guy because he was getting some serious testing done, but the asmthatic next to me was pretty funny. after seeing the nurse i had to "obtain a sample", and i don't think i have ever laughed so much in a bathroom. for about five minutes i sat on the loo with a small container in one hand and a lid/scoop in the other, trying to come up with the best method. good times.

so what does it all mean? the doctor thinks i have giardia (i haven't the slightest idea how it is pronounced). you can get it from messed up water sources (stupid kuata). i won't find out until monday morning, but he is pretty confident that that is what i have and has already put me on antibiotics. i don't know if i'm supposed to hope for a yes-i-have-giardia on monday or not. i think i want to have it because at least i'll know why i'm sick and then can be on my way to getting better. that and it would be cool to say i picked up some bacteria in fiji--its like the travel version of a tattoo.

have a good day

your friend
chad