TR: raquelle261 & colleagues do Cuba

[raquelle261]

And so this brings us bang up to the present day…..

Before I booked my flight to Playa, a few months ago, my agent spoke to the airline about catering on the long haul (11 hours) flight and they said “yeah, no problem, just give us a call nearer the time and we will make the necessary arrangements”. And so yesterday I call to make the necessary arrangements…..

Which turn out to be……. I have to take my own bloody food!!!!! Completely. Lock, stock and flipping barrel. They say they can't modify their set menu's so I'll have to bring my own food. Have a 3 hour check in wait then an 11 hour flight then a 1 hour transfer... And they have no heating or chilling facilities on the plane so it will have to be a cold picnic of sorts that I rustle up for myself. They at first were also insisting I fit this "now-having-to-cater-for-however-many-meals-myself" food into my original carry on allowance with usual security restrictions – i.e. one bag; max 5kgs; max 45x35x20cm; total liquids max 100ml; and that if I took a cool bag on board which involved an ice pack (to keep the stuff fresh-ish and not bordering on going off and giving me food poisoning – remember this food is going to have to be unrefridgerated for quite a long time), it could be no bigger than 100ml and would count as my "liquid" entitlement...

I have now managed to negotiate a slightly better arrangement with them though and, so long as I obtain a doctor’s letter confirming the food allergies etc, I am now additionally allowed to carry on with me a "medical bag". This can be of any size/weight (within reason) and can contain any foodstuffs/drinks I need for consumption on the plane, and can include a coolbag/ice blocks and doesn't carry the same liquids restrictions the normal carry on does. It is an added hassle I could well do without, especially the thought of sorting it in Mexico again for the return journey home, but it is better than risking an allergic reaction. The airport hotel in the UK I am staying at the day/night before I fly have been darlings too – the head chef there is lending me his fridge and freezer space overnight and is also rustling me up some allergy-free goodies to supplement whatever I pack up for myself. Bless him, I could have cried when he offered!

A lot of people here have been busy the last few months telling me I am risking it going away at all and that I must be mad taking such a huge risk as going somewhere as far away as Mexico. And my mum is freaking out like you don’t know what that I mustn’t go near the sea or even contemplate anything like snorkelling. But I am DETERMINED to not just stop living – life is far too short – and this is why I have been even more determined to come to Playa. Yes, there are risks, but I’ll just have to be extra careful. And I have a tongue in my head. And I do have family there too.

Oh, and snorkel I probably will (if I don’t start to panic when it actually comes to it) and, boy, have I learnt how to have a good time sober!!!!

(Just perhaps don’t ask me to sing “La Bamba”… I might hit you somewhere you’d rather not be hit…)

[4wheeled]

holy shit!!!! i mean shite!!! i'm gobsmacked. speechless. except to say.....i dunno... no alcohol!! eegads.


but seriously. so much hassle. i'm glad you aren't about to let it hamper your trip and good times. that is obvious from your good nature.

best wishes for a fab time.

[missixty]

I'm so glad you managed to get things sorted out with the airline hun. It's awful that on top of the worry you already have they couldn't even be accomdating. I'm sure it really wouldn't have been that much trouble for them to sort a meal out for you. After all they do it for vegetarians etc, which is essentailly, a choice rather than a necessity - you would think they would have some sort of facilities for people with allergies.

I can't wait to read your Playa trip report, I'm so excited for you going, I just know you're gonna have the best time! And perhaps your uncle can help you sorting out your 'picnic' for the flight home?

Not long till you go now!!!!!

[Rissask]

Oh my Rachel!!

I just read this this morning.....I am so sorry to hear about your health problems. That all sounds so awful, I feel terrible that you are dealing with this.

So strange, all of those symptoms.....it sure would be nice if they suddenly figured out it is something else causing this and they could 'cure' you. It just doesn't make logical sense, multiple allergies suddenly appearing like that.

I wasn't planning on swimming with the dolphins when we go to Cuba, and this just gives me another reason not to....very scary!

[raquelle261]

Thanks for your kind words all of you... they are really appreciated.

Riss, my hunch is it was more something to do with the sea water I swallowed or something ropey with the chicken - there were 26 of us on the trip and it was only myself and Haguey that were ill later. It may have even been a combination of both though. Haguey and I were the only ones on our trip that had the chicken that day but luckily for him his "food poisoning" that night appeared to be much much milder than mine. My friend Katy - who was there a few weeks after me - also had the chicken on her dolphin trip and she also accidentally swallowed a big mouthful of sea water. Neither of us girls had snorkelled before, in each instance we had ill fitting masks and were given no instructions.... I guess through our inexperience, swallowing some water was inevitable. So, my gut feeling is that it is not actually poor old Flipper and his mates, although you never know.

I've actually been lucky when you compare me to Katy. On top of everything I've had/have, she has also had this parasite/bacteria problem permanently damage her kidneys (apparently it can take either route - with her it went into her urinary tract, with me it went into my digestive system). The other difference was how we each "treated" the illness when it first struck. She took the anti-sickness/etc. meds straight away to stop her from throwing up/doing the other stuff. If you remember, the doctor at my hotel stopped me from taking anything like that as he suspected I'd picked up something particularly nasty and he didn't want to stop nature from getting on with getting it out of my system as quick as it could. So instead I first off just took rehydration meds. He may well have done me a bigger favour there than we will know.

[fireinmn]

Great report! Sorry to hear of you health troubles since... Looking forward to your Playa trip report!

[Lillibet]

This has been a fantastic TR. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us all. I've often thought about visiting Cuba, for a change from Playa, and your TR has fuelled my will to go there even more.

It's scary to think that something like swallowing sea-water or eating chicken can cause such long-term health issues. However, you seem to have a very positive mind and are dealing with the changes required to your everyday life. Well done.

I hope you have a wonderful time in Playa. How long are you going for? (sorry might have missed it but I don't recall you saying)
We'll all be glued to the forum waiting to hear about your exploits for sure!

[Rissask]

It sure IS scary to think of this whole situation. I know that you can get Hep A from sea water contaminated with fecal matter, unfortunately an all too common situation in many places in Mexico and other tropical places ...but I had never heard of anything like this!

You take care, R.