Feeling better!
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2007
1
28
39
Trip End
Sep 16, 2007
Antigua,
Guatemala
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
All photos are located at the above address.
I woke up feeling a lot better today. I spent most of yesterday reading in bed or wondering around town. I also slept almost the entire night. I have only slept through the night once since I started this trip. There have been a few times where I have only woken up once, but for the most part I haven't been sleeping well. I think it has to do with the malaria medication. I will be happy to stop that once I return home.
Breakfast was at my favorite little cafe. They have crepes filled with bananas, strawberries, granola and a touch of nutella. Yum! I also enjoy their freshly squeezed juices- my favorite so far is the pineapple and orange juice
Courtyard 1
. I read one of the books that I picked up yesterday at a used book store and before I knew it two hours had passed! On my way back to the hotel, I stopped into a pharmacy. It seems as if there is a pharmacy ever two blocks in Antigua. The friendly pharmacist was patient with me as I explained to him that I needed a decongestant and only a decongestant. I didn't want a drug with 4 other ingredients. I finally got something that I think is similar to Tylenol Cold - more than what I wanted, but at least it contains a decongestant. Drugs are so inexpensive down here! I bought 6 capsules and it cost me 9Q (and remember 7.5Q= $1 USD). I know that if they cost any more, most people wouldn't be able to afford anything.
What is notable is that the baby products cost the most. All the pharmacies have a little section with baby medicine and formula. I've noticed that those items cost about the same as in the states. Vitamins are also fairly pricey. But I also don't think most people take them down here.
Most of the pharmacies play the role of the doctor for minor illnesses. Since going to an actual doctor incurs a cost, most Guatemalans go to a pharmacy first and talks with he pharmacist. If the pharmacist can diagnosis the problem and provide a treatment, the patient only has to pay for the cost of the drug, not the cost of the drug plus a visit to the doctor.
On another note, I bought my bus ticket to Honduras and am heading to the boarder tomorrow morning at 4 AM. First stop, the Mayan ruins of Copan.
