Nature shock instead of culture shock

Since 1 month Düsseldorf has become the new place called home and I like it here. So easy to find things, GPS actually works and is not blocked by the military, shops are full of bargains for which you don’t have to bargain and last but not least you get everywhere – by bike…

Hence, no negative return culture shock to speak of, however it looks different for my body. It is suffering a severe nature shock and has reacted gravely to the newly regained fresh air.

Living four years in rather sandy areas and one year in an urban Megacity, with no considerable nature to speak of, I suffered a lot of health issues except one thing - hey fever.

Now in clean Germany, no dust and smoke cloud the fauna’s emissions of pollen, seeds and little flying sheep anymore (Cottonwood). They all entered my body and left quickly after in liquid form via nose and eyes. This has become worse and worse every day until I felt like I had a very strong influenza and could not stand it anymore and went to a doctor. He cut right to the chase and suggested Cortison – intravenous (translation: in the ass). This will kill the allergy after 3 days and I won’t have to worry anymore for the next months…Well, that was a good prospect, through an unexpected treatment though, and resistance seemed pointless. Now three days later. It has worked and I can actually see and breathe gain….