JamesA

In all my years I have never ever come across any bar that does not use 'purified ice'! It is supplied by the same people usually who supply the drinks, Thais themselves drink bottled water, though as far as salads go yes, that is probably washed in tap water.

Kathie

orgy, I had to laugh at your idea that the backpackers on ThornTree wouldn't get sick because they're so well traveled. I post on Thorntree as well, and many of those travelers take it for granted that they will get sick - again and again.

It is true that travelers get sick often not because of "bad" bacteria" but because of "different" bacteria than what they are accustomed to. Thus, someone moving to a new place in the world may have trouble to begin with and may well adjust to the new bacterial flora and fauna

Kathie

oops - it posted too soon

in a location. However, constantly moving around and being exposed to different bacteria does not make one less likely to have gastro-intestinal problems. I have friends who served in the Peace Corps who developed long term (decades) GI problems.

Guenmai

Orgy...you are absolutely hilarious.Your posts add flavor. As for me and food... I tend to have a sensitive stomach with certain spices and a few other things,too....whether at home or away.So, I know what my system can take and what it can't. I love Indian food, but know to only eat it on a weekend and not during the work week because I'll be wiped out for a day...the spice combinations.However, I basically just dive in and eat.I've been vegetarian since 1976 so I eat lots of those, "don't eat foods". I do, however, eat fish, but no dairy (allergic), except occasional butter,so I don't have to worry about bad dairy. But, I eat salad and ate them at the Ritz Carlton in Kuala Lumpur and got half wiped out for about half a day. 5-star hotel food is no guarantee against being stomach-sickness free.A lot of the food basically comes from the same suppliers whether at a 5-star or a no-star. I've gotten sick and not gotten sick eating at both luxury and dirt cheap establishments. As for the Kuala Lumpur situation,I just kept eating salad and raw veggies...tomatoes/cucumber and my system eventually adjusted.It was nothing major. But, I usually don't take the medications, but just let it run its course.Eat rice, bread, and bananas if you get the runs....I did a lot of this in the early 80s in Tunisia and Morocco.I figure I'm bound to get some stomach upset so I don't worry about it. I take the medication along just in case I get it really bad...which is VERY seldom. But I think my system is pretty good over all.I think that the people who get the sickest are those who are the pickiest and haven't exposed their systems to much. I guess it's 3-plus decades of basically traveling hardcore and to some rough places in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America that have gotten the stomach pretty adjusted.I've traveled to a lot of places where I don't have control over the food. I feel lucky to just have food. So, I've had to adjust. Plus, it's a good idea to start taking accidopholis(sp?)capsules a few weeks before traveling.You can buy them under the probiotic section in the natural supermarkets.They usually need to be kept refrigerated.I've used them for a couple of decades I guess.I do, however, stay away from street food and ice for the most part. Happy Travels!

orgy7

PS... it seems that another good way too stop diahria... is too post about your intestinal ailment on fodors for all too read... I was actually sick when I posted on this thread.. but as I was typing I starting feeling better..
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peace corp vs packpackers... come on peace corpe people are hard core..

I actually poke fun of backpackers as much as my fellow fodorites since many of these 1 ton cargo lugging people are actually richer then you and I.. (they just choose too travel in sqwualer)..