Fast: Day 5

This is a sad day in my fast. I wasn't forced to quit, but it was convincingly suggested that I bring my fast to a close.

For the last couple of days I have noticed that my eyes were becoming a bit yellow around the irises. While I didn't like the way it looked, I attributed it to the fast and since it was a short fast I figured I could just ride it out.

However, last night Mariel and I were attending a social event at her director's house when one of our friends from the Embassy noticed how yellow my eyes were. He said he thought it really didn't look good but that I should go have his wife, who is a registered nurse, check it out. We went over to her so she could take a look and she said that it looked like I was suffering from Jaundice. She asked me what I thought might have caused it and I of course mentioned that I had been fasting for the last 5 days. She immediately gave me the look of "Why in the world would you be doing that?" After which she asked me, "Why in the world are you doing that?" I tried to explain to her what my reasons were but its difficult to do so without sounding hippie or new-age so I just told her there were many reasons. Anyway, she said that she recommended that I stop fasting immediately. I pondered it for the next hour or so but ultimately I decided that it wasn't worth liver failure to fast.

I do, however, remain determined to fast again but think it won't be until I am back in the states and can do so with all the proper ingredients - I was using sugar in the place of grade B maple syrup and when the store was out of lime juice I decided to use mango juice. So for those that were enjoying reading about my adventures, I apologize. I do believe in enduring a certain amount of discomfort for a worthy goal, but I think to recklessly and needlessly put one's health at risk is disrespectful of the wonderful gift of health that I have been given.

The 5 days during which I did fast were great, however, and I am glad I did it. Last night I broke fast with an olive which I took to be symbolic of the peace that I was making with my body (although it was not attached to the branch).

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my short-lived and unfortunately truncated journey. Please feel free to share your thoughts on what you read during these last few days.