Since my last post which was close to the Iran border I have made it another 650k’s to Tehran. After resting in Julfa a couple of days we decided to head for Tehran to start initiating all our visa applications for the Stan countries. I had started feeling a bit better after my second hit of stomach cramps and vomiting close to the border and was hoping to get back to shape once I reached Tehran, but only after the second night in Tehran I started getting serious cramps once again and had to run to the toilet once every 15-30 minutes for over 24 hours. After taking several tablets and trying to regain my fluids for many hours without success I realized that my body was being totally drained and that I needed to get to a hospital.

I got a hold of a number to an international hotline connected to my travel insurance and they informed that I should call an ambulance and ask to be taken to a specific hospital which my travel insurance would cover regarding expenses. I asked Nicklas to get an ambulance, so he started calling the emergency number in Iran, but every time he asked if they could speak English they hung up! Great service……

After several failed attempts he asked the restaurant in the hotel but they just referred to a taxi, so instead he asked the reception and they finally got hold of an ambulance. When the ambulance arrived I had no energy left, was totally white and drained of fluids. Instead of checking how I was doing they asked Nicklas to sign a piece of paper and once it was signed they referred us to a taxi and left…… once again great service! The paper was in Arabic but most likely stated that the person signing takes responsibility of the sick person so the Ambulance guys don’t have to take any responsibility. Great way to treat people, sympathy on a high level

After some time we found a taxi but he had real problems finding the hospital, so we ended up driving around for about 40 minutes until he finally found the place. Once I arrived at the hospital the people were great and very friendly. I got an IV and a bunch of anti-biotic and other pills.

It’s now the second day since the hospital and I am feeling much better, but i have lost almost 8kgs so i need to start putting some weight on again once i get better. Tomorrow I will receive the Uzbekistan visa and will hopefully pick up the Turkmenistan and Tajikistan visas later in the week.
Bye for now!