In 2009, Sarah Ann Harris embarked on a girls' trip to Corfu, expecting a classic rite of passage holiday of sun, sea, and cocktails. Instead, she faced a surreal ordeal that began with a fever at the airport and ended with a hospital stay, all amid the growing swine flu pandemic.
Arrival and Panic at Passport Control
Harris felt unwell on the drive to Bristol airport, attributing it to motion sickness. She slept on the plane, hoping to party upon landing. At Greek passport control, heat-sensitive cameras detected temperatures due to swine flu concerns. Her friends appeared as shadowy grey figures, but Harris showed up lurid green, indicating a high temperature. She was immediately ushered into a side room alone and then rushed away in an ambulance.
Hospital Ordeal and Language Barrier
At the hospital, Harris was extensively poked and prodded. The language barrier left her confused as medics attempted to extract blood, resulting in multiple puncture wounds, a large black bruise, and increasing panic. The only English words the medic appeared to know were: “Oh shit!” She was left alone in a room with no air conditioning, just an open window, in blistering Greek heat.
Fevered Sleep and Communication with Friends
Harris fell into a fevered sleep, waking repeatedly, concerned she had wet herself, only to realize she had sweated through the sheets. Her period arrived unexpectedly, adding to the grimness. At one point, she heard her name being called and found her friends in the car park below, shouting up to her like a sweaty Rapunzel. This was their only means of communication, as phones struggled with Greek networks.
Unidentified Medications and Drip
Harris was required to take her own temperature and took unidentified pills and injections, with used syringes left on her bedside table. Eventually, she was moved to a public ward and placed on an unnecessary drip, which made mobility difficult. She had to carry the drip stand to the bathroom, which also served as an unofficial smoking area.
Discharge and Aftermath
Harris never learned what was wrong with her; the medical notes were all in Greek. She eventually made it to the resort but had to stay in the shade, with no cocktails. The experience, though pre-pandemic, felt like a sci-fi horror film due to the swine flu panic.
