"Agua Pura" Just Means Water And Not Fancy Bottled Water That Won't Get Tourists Sick

DAY EIGHT

Well, it finally happened: I got sick last night.

When Journey and I went to Xelapan yesterday, we sat down in a little cafe and I ordered "agua pura" - the same thing I've been ordering at the other cafe where we have our Spanish classes. At the other cafe, Agua Pura is the name of a brand of a bottled water company, and so they bring you the bottled water and the glass and you drink knowing that this is good water, this is the kind of water Americans in a foreign country should be drinking. At the cafe next to Xelapan, "agua pura" just means tap water. Tap water. I didn't realize my mistake until after we'd left. I'd been warned by doctors, by our coordinators, by my parents, and by my host family not to drink the tap water here. The tap water here is different, and it tends to make tourists sick. That's exactly what it did.

I didn't do much today expect sleep and rest. Griselda made me a tea that's supposed to help with upset stomachs, and what was essentially Campbell's chicken noodle soup (but with fresh vegetables and fresh chicken) for lunch and dinner. At first I thought I'd come across a great cultural discovery: chicken noodle soup is the universal cure for illness! But, I was wrong. Griselda explained that she made it for me because that's what every other volunteer who's stayed with her and gotten sick before me had requested. Ah. Well, it was really good soup, and it tasted like home, and it did make me feel better.

I'm definitely going to the shelter and Spanish classes tomorrow. This is our last week, and I don't want to miss anymore of it.