*異国での病気
仕事でインドネシアに出張していた時、私は新型コロナウイルスに感染をした。まだコロナが猛威を奮っていた時で、私も初めての感染だった。無事に回復はしたが、現地で一週間入院することになってしまい、少し大変な思いをした。
異国での病気というのは、色々と思うようにはいかないものである。幸い現地スタッフが入院手続きなど全てやってくれたので何とかなったが、これを一人でやるのは中々厳しいと感じた。まず、そもそもだが感染して体調が悪いので余裕が無い。また隔離もしなければいけないので、受付など自分で手続きも出来ない。語学が出来る出来ない以前の問題だった。
病院食は日本でもあまり美味しくないが、異国の食事で、且つ、体調も悪いので、更に不味く感じてしまった。病人は食事を食べて元気にならなくてはいけないのだが、その食事の度に気持ちが落ち込むという悪循環。現地スタッフが差し入れてくれた日本食の弁当と果物が心の支えだった。
一週間後、何とか体調も回復し無事に退院を出来たが、その時の恩は今でも忘れない。人が辛い時や大変な時ほど、優しくしてあげられる人でありたいと思う。
*Illness Abroad
During a business trip to Indonesia, I contracted COVID-19. It was still during the height of the pandemic, and it was my first infection. Though I recovered successfully, I had to endure a week of hospitalization in the local area, which was quite challenging.
Falling ill in a foreign country is an experience that doesn't go as planned. Fortunately, the local staff handled all the hospital procedures, and I managed somehow. However, I realized that it would have been tough to handle it alone. Firstly, being infected and unwell left no room for flexibility. Additionally, I had to isolate, making it impossible to handle tasks like reception procedures. Language proficiency became a secondary concern.
Hospital food is not particularly tasty even in Japan, and in a foreign country, coupled with feeling unwell, it tasted even worse. Patients are meant to regain strength through meals, but each meal made me feel more down, creating a negative cycle. The Japanese boxed meals and fruits that the local staff provided became a source of comfort for me.
After a week, my health gradually improved, and I was able to be discharged safely. I will never forget the gratitude I felt at that time. I aspire to be someone who can show kindness to others, especially during difficult and challenging times.
