Urban Survival Secrets

Stuck in Amsterdam

Well,

I have been in Africa for the past few weeks.  On the flight from Africa to Amsterdam I was starting to feel a little rough.  As I though was a good idea, I let the flight attendant know of my situation.  Next thing I know, they are contacting ground control, the company I was working for and the FAA in the city I was to land at in the US.  I was removed from the plane and had to get a medical clearance to travel – AHHHHHHHH

So here I am 4 hours later.  Bowels still a rumbling from something I ate at the 4 star hotel I was put up in, having to spend a night in a lousy hotel for 100 Euros (138 bucks) and had to pay 35 euros for a medical exam – that wasn’t so bad!  None the less – it puts me in 18 hours later than I wanted and gets me an appointment with a tropical diseases specialist since there is a potential for Malaria!!!

For those who do not know, there is a drug resistant strain of malaria.  What bugs me (pun intended) is that I took precautions.  I wore DEET and sprayed my clothes.  I took my meds and made sure the folks that came over with me did the same.  And what do I get?  Removed from the plane.  Nice.

When discussing with the KLM ground control agent (nice guy and a great airline) he mentioned that due to the Swine Flu, anyone who is suspect needs an exam and clearance.  If I would have known, I would have done this prior to getting on the damn plane.  Gotta love the US!!

Fortunately, I kept in my first aid kit anti diarhheal meds, aspirin, my anti malarials, and other supplies I thought was best.  Staying prepared was good as when I went in for my exam, I told the nurse the stuff I was taking and she changed my dosage so I could control my bowels.  What I did not tell her was my body was empty and I only ate broth and stuff like that to control the solids in my system.

Looking back, I still wonder the “wisdom” of my mentioning the bug I had.  I wanted to make sure that the flight crew understood on the 9 hour leg from europe to america that I might need to run to the can.  Oh well.  Weather here in Amsterdam is rainy otherwise.  I will just go get my room and crash for the eve.  Get up and grab a bite from the lounge (I got to fly business thank God!) and get the hell out of this joint!