Unfortunate encounter with Salvadorian dogs

Trip Start Oct 10, 2001
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Trip End Feb 19, 2002


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Flag of El Salvador  ,
Monday, December 10, 2001

I got up yesterday morning for a refreshing walk on the beach. After those highland days of Guetemala, the beach seemed extraordinarily beautiful. Juliette was still sleeping. So I walked alone. As I crossed some wooded area, 3 dogs ran after me and started to bark. I didn't pay much attention to them at first, as I was used to dogs hanging around streets since early days of Mexico. Then I felt a very sharp pain on my lower calf just above my right ankle. I was bitten by one of them. Fear rushed to my head in an instant. I held on to my daypack and run as fast as I can without looking back. They chased me for about 20 feet or so until I got out of the wooded area onto the beach. I fell. I guess in the moment of panic my brain and my legs were not on the same page. Fortunately the dogs chased me no further. They just barked viciously. I turned to them with a quick glance, and then looked at my wounded leg for the first time, blood was dripping from the two holes punctured by the fangs of the dog. My hand was also bleeding as I scratched them when I fell. As my fear subsided, I walked back to the hotel.

When I arrived, I was half pissed off for what just happened, and half worried about infection and rabies. Blood was still flowing down my legs, coloring my white socks red. I washed the wounds with water and then alcohol. The two holes were about 5cm apart, I didn't even have a bandage large enough that can cover it. So I left it open to air out a bit. I didn't say a word to Juliette as she was just getting up. Then I went for a walk alone on the beach, trying to easy my anger. I carried a stick, partially to ease the pressure on my right leg, partially for protection. The walk was long but refreshing, no other dogs were in sight. I sat down on the wide open expenses of the La Liberdad beach, no one in sight, enjoying the view that was interrupted earlier in the morning. The beach was very clean and beautiful, and waves breaking perfectly for distant surfers trying to navigate its unexpected shuffle. I almost forgotten I was bitten in a moment of beauty.

Next day, Juliette took me to a local medical clinic to have wounds check out. The place was full of children and it reminded me of how exactly Chinese clinic looked when I was young. Although Juiette's Spanish was getting much better by now, the communication took a little effort. I got a technical needle shot of something, then the nice nurse cleaned and bandaged my wounds. Quite a experience I thought to myself. Quite a week or so since Volcan Agua: I have been robbed, tortured with stomach pain for 3 days and bitten by a dog. I prey to God no more!! The show must go on.......
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