In India it’s known as ‘Delhi Belly’, in Mexico ‘Aztec Two Step’, ‘Mummies Tummy’ in Egypt and my all time personal favourite from Canada ‘Beaver Fever’!
Yes I think you all know what I’m referring to....what every traveller at some point gets....an upset tummy!
I knew before I left the U.K that at some stage during my world travels I would indeed be the unfortunate sufferer of the ‘Kathmandu Quickstep’ after all it is common knowledge that most travellers gets a ‘Bali Belly’!
For the first three days in Singapore, I couldn’t go to the toilet, I put it down to the change in routine, weather, food, emotional and physical well being, everything I could think of!
Every morning I would make a point of trying in the communal lav but nothing to my dismay was happening down there! One thing was for sure when people on public transport started offering me their seat and pointing at my tummy asking when is it due! I thought this little poo baby has got to want to come out at some point!!
Like most travellers I was on a strict budget so most of my main meals were from the food courts and street markets of Singapore. Beautifully delicious bowls of Seafood Raman (noodles in stock with seafood) for 1quid, was my favourite.
Whilst taking in an 'Images of Singapore' exhibition one afternoon I started to feel the stomach contract, the cramps kicked in from the pit of my stomach like I was being stabbed repeatedly, then the hot sweats and the nausea started to attack. Being in a group with other tourists, they easily understood what was happening to me as the sounds emanating from my stomach were drowning out the tour guides voice.
That’s when it happened, a sudden realisation that if I don’t release right now my guts are going to explode all over the Singaporean images.
I started to run clutching my stomach with both my hands, whilst praying to please please let there be a toilet at the end of this corridor. Tears and sweat all rolled into one, the arrow pointing to the ladies toilet seemed to be so far away.
After what felt like running through the whole of the museum, I was in jubilation and relief when I saw the ladies toilet. Inside, door after door the toilets were not the one’s I was used to but the hole in the floor, crouch as you dump ones. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me but needs are a must!
I had to balance myself and crouch low on the ground which was no easy feat but after doing the doo, so to speak! I turned to the left and discovered there was no bloody toilet roll! aaarrrrrgggghhh this could not be happening to me?
There I was frozen, still crouched above the hole trying to work out my next move?!................why the hell didn't I listen to my mother?! who's voice I could hear ringing in my ear, telling me to always, always, always... carry bog roll!
