Poisonous Ivy Child in the City

As many of you know, I came down with a case of poison ivy a couple of days before I was supposed to leave for Buenos Aires. I believe this special little plant brushed my leg while I was taking a walk by Boulder Creek and then I scratched it all over my body while I was sleeping that night. Well, it kept getting worse over about 25 hours of traveling, to the point where raised, oozing welts covered my arms, legs, stomach and half of my face. When Matthew and I arrived in Buenos Aires, I came to my senses and told him, " I need to see a doctor." He agreed, having witnessed me being eaten alive with his own eyes.

Beware reader: This is going to get graphic.

I had to wear shorts as we searched for medical attention due to the large amount of goo dripping down my legs. I have never felt like such a social pariach as when people on the crowded streets looked at my legs and then made a face that can only be described as horrified. We stopped at a pharmacy first, because in South America many times they can just give you over-the-counter medication. They took one look at me, made those same faces, and sent me to El Hospital Universitario (a teaching hospital, which fortunately was only a few blocks away). Once there, they sent me to dermatology, where I only had to pay 10 pesos (about $3) to see the doctors. You know how on the medical shows on TV they call all the students in to see certain cases? Well, that was me. Four very kind residents/doctors crowded around me and fired questions at me, such as, "Did you roll around in this plant?" I answered all their questions in my best Argentine castellano, and they decided on my treatment. Antibiotics, a special wash for the shower, and creme. Oh, and I dropped my pants for a cortisone shot in the rear end. I know that moment will never fade from my memory.

Anyways, I'm fine, I've been improving rapidly and pretty soon I will no longer look like a monster. Matthew has been really amazing and supporting throughout all of this, for which I am very grateful. It is nice to have someone by your side when the world is staring at you like you are a freak of nature. Remember these words, family and friends, and give a hug to those people that would be there for you!

Anyways, I thought my poison ivy deserved to be the star of this post, but I will write more later about our time in the city. I can't wait for the asado (Argentine barbeque) that we're going to eat with my Argentine host family this weekend. Love you all!