I could feel it coming on yesterday. The dreaded seasonal allergies/whatever it is. I started off the day before with what must’ve been a massive attack of bedbugs. Unfortunately for me, I slept in just my boxers, so the bites were EVERYWHERE. I didn’t think too much of them, until they all started itching. It took everything to not just start rabidly scratching away at all parts of my body. In yesterday morning’s vinyasa flow yoga, I even set my intention as “ignoring the itching.” It helped for that hour or so, but soon thereafter the buzzing annoyance of an army of itches wanting to be scratched returned.

In a partial haze I headed off to the Monkey Forest for a photoshoot with some Acro Yogis. Probably not the best idea in my already weakened state. However, I pushed through, and actually got some great shots. A nice bowl of soup for dinner with a friend afterwards had me thinking I’d be spared the worst of it. That’s where I was wrong. I had taken a Mucinex D, hoping it would help with the congestion of my sinuses, which it did. Congestion turned to a dripping nose; no bueño for dinner. I survived, and even had some great conversation to close the night, but by that time it was already 11. Far later than I had anticipated going to sleep, and probably much later than my body wanted to call it a night. Lights out, ear plugs in, and I was out cold until 6AM, my typical wakeup these days, but for once I rolled back over and pressed the snooze button on my forehead. Out like a light until 9AM, which is when the real trouble started.

Nose dripping. Eyes burning. It was a classic upper-respiratory allergic reaction. Ugh. Maybe a cup of hot ginger tea and breakfast would help it go away. Much to my chagrin the effects were just getting warmed up. I tried desperately to sleep through the day, but only managed a few more hours. Then, through the fog of sinus pressure I made my way out into the streets of Ubud in search of some meds to help me out. Of course, the first pharmacy I went to was clean out of antihistamines, but at least I got a few steps in…this was going to be a pretty low-activity day. A couple large bottles of water, a large box of tissue, and a new toothbrush…why? Well, I needed one anyway. Then I headed off for the next closest pharmacy, clear in the opposite direction. They had what I needed, so I lugged my now-full bag back to the room to take a pill and get some more rest. Lots of water. Lots of rest. This thing will have to give up the ghost soon.

I tried heading out again in the afternoon for some tea and an opportunity to finally edit some photos. After a quick burst through my most recent shoot, I packed up my things again and headed back to my hotel. I was destined to spend the rest of the day in bed, perhaps a short trip out for hot soup if I was feeling up for it, but I was done.

In bed now before 8PM, and hoping that after a good night’s sleep, plus loads of water, this thing will be clear of my system. I’ve got a whole paradise outside these doors that I just have to get out and keep exploring!