It’s almost impossible to feel homesick…

I came down with a severe cold this week. Typical. I figured a month was too long to have gone since my last cold, and I knew it was only a matter of time. I swear—my immune system is not at all reliable!

I’m pretty sure it was the constant change in temperature. If you’re outside in Belém, you’re either wet from the rain, which is never cold, or wet from your sweat. Once you're inside, the air conditioner (everywhere it seems) is on blast and a sweater is sometimes necessary.

Unfortunately, I had to miss a couple labs with my students because I just felt awful. I spoke to a few of them before going home, and they explained that people here always getting colds from the changes in weather. They were so kind and forgiving even though they had shown up extra early to see me before their regular classes. I felt badly.

Because I’m sick so often, I have a routine at home to get better. I have my usual visit to my pharmacy, grab my regular meds, down some OJ, rest, and I’m good to go in a couple days. My recovery is a lot faster if my mom is there to nurse me back to health with some good ol’ TLC. Unfortunately, I have none of that here. I could barely find orange juice anywhere. Weird, since there is every other kind of juice imaginable!

Thankfully, I have met some truly wonderful people, and they make it difficult to feel homesick. This evening, the same professor who invited me to her son’s graduation party brought me medication for my cold. In addition to the penicillin, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory meds, she brought me tangerines, apples, and HOMEMADE SOUP!!!!

It was pretty late, and she had just finished teaching her evening class. Despite all of this, she went out of her way to make sure I felt better. I was so touched. It was a gesture I could only imagine my mother making, and I’ve only known Rosana for a couple weeks. She’s amazing! I still miss my mom, and home a bit, but I know I’ll be just fine!

It was a funny coincidence to have received this letter. Last week, Rosana's students practiced writing letters to someone needing medical advice or help. One of her students decided to write to me. No worries Paula, I don't have dengue--it's just a cold! Haha!!