We all awoke feeling ill. I had belly ache, as did the other two, although Jane seems to be by far the worst. Pay back time for the earlier recklessness. Sugar cane juice from communal glasses is taking its revenge.  But I tried to play it down. I'd felt like this lots of times, at home, nothing to do with India. I'd be OK in a couple of hours. Always was. It was just worse because of the heat. The heat is over powering. being on the roof doesn't help.


We are staying on the roof of a three storey hotel (or is it four) and climbing the stairs is tiring (so much for being an athlete!). We are all so fatigued. Ben was the only one who attempted breakfast, cooking himself egg and toast. Jane definitely seems the worst. We had lost interest in the view.


After breakfast, well missed breakfast, I went out to buy a book, but while in the shop I suddenly felt very ill and wanted to rush out. I settled for the first book that attracted my attention hoping for a quick purchase and to dash out. But I had not counted on India procedure. The title, author, book number and price had to be meticulously recorded (no doubt in triplicate, although I didn't see as I was concentrating on not being ill there and then). By the time the shop keeper had finished and taken my money I didn't feel so bad so I went in search of a pharmacist.

In India you can buy just about any drug over the counter, if you can afford it. I bought "Entrostrep Capsules". I didn't chose them myself. The pharmacist, at least I hoped he was, matched them to my description of the symptoms. According to the label these capsules contained Chloramphenicol and Streptomycin. This latter sounded like an antibiotic and vague ideas about needing to complete a whole course came to mind and the packaging contained dire warnings that they must only be taken under prescription following a blood test!! But what could I do?

By the time I reached the hotel Ben was about to set out for the town. He said he felt better and didn't want any medicine. Back in the room Jane and I took one capsule each. Was this wise. probably not, but we both managed to sleep for a couple of hours.

I woke feeling OK. Jane was no better. Now I start to worry she is suffering from sun stroke as well as anything else. I offer to buy her an air ticket back to Delhi. My emergency £5 notes might be just enough, but then I wont have any money when I get back to Heathrow, but this is an emergency. Anyway, she refuses and says she is OK.

Ben came back feeling very, very ill. He took some of the medicine and both he and Jane collapse into sleep. The power is off again and the fans have stopped. The heat is unbearable and making it worse. Poor Jane seems at a loss to know what to do with herself.

I am still pretending to be OK and wonder whether to go into town. This illness is a case of mind over matter and I had thought of buying some silk souvenirs as Varinassi is where much Indian silk is made. But I wasn't impressed with the town, it is at least 30 minute rickshaw ride and it is too hot. I'll go to the Janpath and shop there next Thursday before I go to the airport to return home.

I wonder why Jane and Ben are so ill. Maybe they had already been infected with something. Neither seems in any control and are writhing in agony. Ben doesn't believe in mind over matter and Jane is too whacked to try any positive thinking. This is bad. Even if they can't cure themselves they need to believe they will get better soon.

Later... not sure how long, Jane is making an effort to move around. We have just been down to the restaurant but we could only manage soup with toast and coffee and even then Jane needed to dash off in the middle of it. I feel as though I'm the only healthy one, although I wouldn't say I was fit and well. Now it is cooler I feel better but climbing the stairs is still knackering.

We have been unable to do anything all  day, but what choice did we have. Ben is worse - can he really be worse than Jane was or is it a male thing?

One of the waiters brought up the manager to see us. He suggested we should move to a more comfortable room where it would be cooler. It would cost a bit more but maybe it would help. We accepted and ended the day in a cool, more comfortable room sipping orange juice.