'So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being.' – Franz Kafka

Culture Smart Thailand
by Roger Jones

Yesterday we met some fellow gluten free travellers on an excursion and they told me about a tool they use when overseas: there are cards you can print saying that you are gluten free in almost any language. I never knew this existed, but it doesn't surprise me that this is one of the many miracles found on the internet. It means that you don't have to guess about food contents or bungle the pronunciation, possibly saying something you didn't intend. I will be using these next time we travel, but for the moment I will stick to dishes I'm pretty sure are safe and hope that I don't get a migraine.

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.' - St Augustine

Tomorrow I'm going overseas and I have mixed feelings about it. I'm excitedly looking forward to spending some time with my husband and relaxing in a warm climate. But I'm also nervous about how I will cope with the airplane, the stress and the time difference. Often when I go on a plane I end up with a migraine for several days after I land, which diminishes my ability to enjoy the destination. My geeky husband tells me that we're flying on a brand new plane that is supposed to be pressurised to a lower apparent altitude than normal planes so it makes the flight less tough on passengers. I'm also on new medication this time so it will be interesting to see how that helps me cope.

As horrible as it is to go away only to wind up with a migraine, I think it's still important to try these new experiences. This is partly because you can't let migraines stop you from living (that's how depression takes over) and partly that you never know how you will manage until you try.

‘Tis the season to be migrainey, fa-la-la-la-la--la-la-la-la.’

It’s a quiet Saturday before the major holiday hullabaloo begins and I’m trying to remember what’s worked, and not worked in the past, for getting through without falling prey to an ongoing migraine. It’s not whether I’ll get a migraine, it’s how long it will last and how severe it will be – that’s probably the first important thing to acknowledge. It won’t be my fault; it’s not because I’m weak or self-sabotaging; I have a chronic, neurological condition. 

So, some friendly advice for the holiday season for myself (and you, if you want it).

Do: spend time with friends and family, but also make time to rest.

Do: maintain routines when possible like normal sleeping patterns, exercise and meditation.

Do: indulge a little bit (or a lot, you know yourself and what’s allowable).

Do: drink lots of water.

Do: take medication with you everywhere.

Do: book a massage (or some other form of recovery and relaxation) when you get to your destination if you’re traveling by plane. 

I can’t think of anything else, and that seems like enough for now. Maybe I’ll write more after the holidays to help next holiday season. If anyone reading this wants to add to the list in the comment section, that would be appreciated.

Happy Hullabaloo!