It was most likely from the lunch I had at the rest area my bus from Bagan had stopped at on our route to Mandalay. I should have known better. The disturbing number of flies buzzing around the place was a telling sign. So was the meal itself: a platter of curry and stewed chicken that sat in the sun for God knows how long. But then again, I’m not one to skip a meal no matter how dire the circumstances may be. When I’m hungry, I eat.

I was incapacitated for three days from a horrible case of food poisoning. I don’t want to share any particular details but let’s just say that I was forced to stay within a twenty foot radius of my bathroom toilet.

However, the worst was not being sick. What killed me was not being able to explore Mandalay and add another chapter to my adventure.