Bratislava: A Battle with Sickness
Here I am, lying in a bed somewhere in the vicinity of Hungary, Slovakia, or Slovenia. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure where I am at the moment because, well, I'm sick, once again. For those who know me well—my closest friends, family, and even my colleagues at work—this isn't an unusual sight. But for those of you who don't know me as intimately, I've been grappling with illness for quite some time, although it tends to come and go. Unfortunately, on this trip, I fell ill for the second time, not even four days after finally shaking off the previous bout. This time, however, it hit me harder than usual. Full-body aches, fevers, chills—you name it, I've got it. Let me put your minds at ease—it's not COVID-19. Trust me on that one.
Anyway, as I had feared, this illness put a damper on my travels, although I had secretly hoped for a change of scenery to miraculously cure me. How foolishly optimistic of me, right? So, I found myself navigating through fevers and chills in the heart of Slovakia, in a quaint little town called Bratislava. Fortunately, it's a quiet and small old town with sights that are easily walkable in proximity. I even managed to make it in time for a free walking tour, which I subsequently sweated through, with all the details of Slovakian history evaporating from my fevered brain.
What I can share with you, though, is that traveling solo while battling sickness is brutal, especially for someone who has been plagued by illness for an extended period. My mental health takes a hit every time I find myself back in the clutches of sickness. You'd think that being in an entirely different country would offer some respite, but it tends to do the opposite. With no one to lean on (not even a single friend in sight), no English-speaking environment to guide me to a place where I can procure painkillers, and no energy to leave my bed, it's undeniably tough. Bratislava really gave me a run for my money, or rather, my own body did. It was a helpless situation, to say the least.
I feel a tinge of sympathy for Bratislava because I truly couldn't give it the attention it deserved. Instead of exploring to my full capacity, I found myself resting and savoring bowls of soup. I also spent a good three hours in a bookstore, lounging on a couch (the locals probably thought I was a strange, sleepy Australian). I mustered just enough energy to treat myself to a pedicure (happiness is when a nail salon is conveniently located opposite your accommodation).
Nonetheless, I did manage to catch a few glimpses of beauty in Bratislava. Arriving late in the evening, I strolled through the city and stumbled upon some beautiful music playing in a charming courtyard. I also caught sight of historical landmarks such as the Bratislava Castle and Michael's Gate, not to mention a hidden gem—the Blue Church! Now, I'm en route to Budapest, where I may still be sick, but let's hope I find the energy to fully experience the beauty of this city!