Wednesday, 9th January

How is Ayurvedic medicine made?

But first, the answer to yesterday's question: the Italians! Not the Germans... lol

Another restless night. Went to bed too early (was soooo tired) and then woke up at midnight until 4 am. My body doesn't seem to have fully adjusted to the new rhythm yet. But what do you do at this time and especially for so long? Watch the fan until you fall into a coma? Count the holes in the mosquito net until you have to start over because you blinked? Take a tour of the hotel until you wake up the security guard sleeping in his plastic chair? Hmmm. I listened to meditation music, read something (until my eyes failed me. Unfortunately, they do that more and more often..!), scrolled through the photos on my phone and camera (on a mini display, which is also very good for my eyeballs!), read the hotel documents, made notes..... and then somehow I fell asleep. So I was "top fit" at 9 am when the alarm went off....

Breakfast, consultation, massage by the SEA. Okay, that's a little bit of a lie. BUT at least so close to the sea that the strong sound of the waves is really meditative. Another sardine program, then stamping, then an oil ring on the chest, face mask AND then, something new: steam bath. Unfortunately, there is no picture of this; but here is my description: imagine a wooden box. It is the size for a person to sit in. You put your head backwards into the cut-out slot and then the lid is closed tomorrow. So only your head sticks out of the wooden box. Then a small towel around your neck to make the last gap airtight and off you go. Hot steam is directed into the cabin from a steam cooker next to the box with a hose. Actually very pleasant if you like saunas. But what's cool about it is the view through the palm trees to the sea. Officially, this heat treatment should only last 5 minutes. But I charmed Ajitha and she let me simmer for 15 minutes. We always have a lot of fun together.

Then off to the reception to ask for my adapter. But this wasn't necessary at all, BECAUSE, the receptionist recognized me again (why that?!! lol) and approached me with good news immediately. My adapter is here. Well, not mine, it belongs to the hotel. Accordingly, I should please return it when checking out so that it doesn't become such a drama for the next Swiss people in need. hihihi.
I brought 4 different bars of chocolate to the reception as a thank you. That had to be, right?!

In the room, I then charged my laptop, downloaded the photos! Juhuii!! Because soon there will be new photos to take: at 3 pm I had booked a 'Herbal Production Center' excursion. This production center is 5 minutes away by car and for the first time, I also saw some of the many shops right in front of the hotel entrance during the drive.
The tour was relatively short, but it just shows once again how little space and staff a very traditional business can operate with. Our pharmaceutical lobby would not only be horrified but European doctors would also not touch anything here, let alone buy medicine! But I have no problem with that and trust in ancient knowledge and the corresponding production. At the end of the mini-tour, we were allowed to go into the senior doctor's office. He asked us where we come from and what our names are. Then it happened: the French woman's name was Daniela (I don't remember the second one unfortunately), the Swiss couple's names were Bruno and ??? - here too my brain failed me) and the German man's name was Roland. Hihi, that's cool, I thought.
It was very exciting and important to see where the medicine I take daily comes from. It tastes as it looks: terrible! But since my sense of smell/taste can't decide whether to let me stumble in the dark or not, I can't really complain soooo much yet. Neither the extremely bitter liquid, the sharp powder I can swallow without water, nor the tablets. Only my tongue occasionally sends me signals. Actually, I'm a bit glad. This is the liquid ghee (clarified butter) that I have been drinking for 2 days now to prepare for my, let's call it, "emptying" in the morning. Yuck. But I have to go through with it!

Still better than being in Switzerland and getting snowed in!!! That's right!! hihihi