Sorochi

I wake up at dawn gasping for breath,my heart pounding. My first thought is "get me to sea level!". I try to relax but am still short of breath. I get dressed and go to the lobby for a cup of coca tea. I nurse my mate de coca, feeling hungover, and go back to bed. It seemed to have some effect, if only psychological. I go down to breakfast and then back to bed until noon. All my walking and drinking the last 2 days has caught up with me and I have developed a mild case of sorochi,altitude sickness. My symptoms are lack of energy and appetite. Around 2:30 I drag myself a couple of blocks to a restaurant for a bowl of vegetable soup. I have another cup of coca tea and spend the rest of the afternoon napping and watching Olympic soccer. Finally after dark I feel hungry and go to a nearby restaurant. I got a delicious plate of homemade ravioli. It hits the spot and I walk back up the hill feeling much better. I had another cup of tea by the fireplace in the lobby. I watched TV until midnite then had a great nites sleep, punctuated by weird dreams. I woke up this morning feeling fine