Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Last week Brian remarked how amazed he was that we hadn't gotten sick since we left China back in November.  Lo and behold, the next day Brian came down with a yucky cold.  Then, he passed it along to me.  And just when I was starting to feel better, Brian got food poisoning.

It's days like these when we realize what we took for granted back in the States...

1. Soft toilet paper.  

As you can see, no cuddly bears or angels adorning the wrapping here.  

Wiping one's nose and/or butt for days on end with TP that I'm pretty sure is derived from sandpaper is...um...less than pleasant. 

2. Showers with multiple temperature settings.  While faucets are labeled like this:

the reality is that there are two types of showers: ones that are either freezing cold or scalding hot and ones that are either cold or cool.  Of course, this is assuming that there's enough water pressure for a shower instead of a bucket bath... 

3. Plain saltines.  Some things are just unappetizing when you've got food poisoning.  Like flavored crackers.

4. More than 2 pillows.  In the States, Brian and I sleep with 2 pillows each, but when all our guesthouse provides is 2 pillows, we fall back on our marriage vows.  Nothing says, "I take you as my husband/wife in sickness..." quite like giving up your pillow so your stuffy-nosed partner can breathe easier through the night.

Despite missing the comforts of home, we are on the mend.  We hope that the next time any of you are sick you get to enjoy these luxuries!

Lots of love! 

Stephanie and Brian