After posting a link to my cousins blog of him off in the wilds saving people and rebuilding villages, this all seems very superficial and poorly written. Oh well, Jason, we can't all be superman :)!
All right, let me back up to yesterday. We had a very American day yesterday, got the car inspected and registered, a friend showed us how to buy/use the gas coupons (you get a quota per month you can use at almost American prices rather than European), then Liz and I had a dance party to burn off some steam. Emma wouldn't participate, but did at least get some entertainment out of it. The pics are of Liz doing the YMCA (I hadn't entirely figured out the picture posting system-they may be out of order), and Emma laughing at us. We got our box in that was filled with all the misc. stuff I didn't want to get rid of (70 lbs. worth), yet didn't have room to pack. We opened it, got a few things out, then I quickly got overwhelmed with all the junk, shut the box and shoved it in a closet.
Chris came home with irritated eyes. He took his contacts out and almost immediately his eyes swelled shut, and became very painful. We tried everything we could at home, and Chris really didn't want to go to the local ER last night. This morning he wasn't much better. The PA at the clinic took one look at his eye, declared it an emergency and sent us to the local ER for an Emergency opthmologist they have on staff. The Pordenone hospital is rather scary from the outside, a large pink set of buildings with peeling paint and sheets stuck in the windows as curtains. There is very little A/C, and the elevators are the sizes of shoeboxes. The staff, however, is fantastic. The first nurse we saw had her collar flipped up, huge purple pearls on, and looked like she came straight out of a nursing catalog. The hospital provides interpretors to assist us with the whole process, and what a gift that was! Not only did we get an interpreter, but it was my weekly (if vague) brush with fame. Most of you reading this will have no idea what I'm referring to when I mention "Born Free". It was a Disney movie about a family that adopted, then set free a little lion cub (Elsa-who my cat is named after for her striking resemblence). http://family.go.com/entertainment/article-csm-82261-movie-review--born-free-t/ This guy, Roberto, grew up in S.Africa (his dad was a POW there who the Brits requested stay on after he was liberated), and his family is/was (they are dead now) friends with the family in said movie. Some people fantisize about meeting movie stars, or singers, my celebs are people like this (or my all time fav. the late great Fred Rogers). I 'bout fell out of my chair. Ok-back to Chris. He can't wear contacts for at least 2-3 weeks, has multiple meds and is on bed rest (eyes closed) for the next 2 days till we go back on Friday. He should be fine, hopefully, after that. We left the hospital, and the wonderful Roberto, then realized that all the Farmacia's are closed for lunch.
Ah well, gives me something to do here in a bit.
Some misc. stuff about the Italian hospital:
For some of you this will be too much info, if so skip to the next area: I officially saw the last of the great triumvirate of Italian potties. This was the one that has no seat (and no, it is not a bidet). Girls will appreciate this, guys-try doing a wall squat, without the wall, the entire time you pee next time, what a fun experience. You have great incentives to maintain your position!! I also encountered yet another flushing device. This one was composed of two interlocking buttons, one larger than the other. The small button does a little water, the larger button more water. I swear the Italians must think I'm an idiot with all the experimenting I do in the lavatories here.
there are no lines-at the elevator, window to check in, whatever it may be, people mill about then rush at the first possible opening. Once again, thanks to Roberto we did make it on an elevator-without him, well, I don't know that I'd be done checking in yet!
People don't have personal bubbles here. On the teensy tiny elevators, you are squished in with as many of your not so close friends as can manage to shove in there with you. This is one of the places you may also encouter the infamous Italian "dead hand". American male friends and (esp.) relatives, do not try this at home, it will NOT work. The "dead hand" is the limp "oh my hand went where?" thing the guys will try to slide by with in any enclosed space (ie elevators, crowds), or during introductions/goodbyes. Yes, they do know what they are doing, and yes they will get away with it as much as possible.
The med system here is a little rougher than back in the states. By rougher I do not mean that it is not as good, it seems very good-and you all know how picky I am. By rougher I mean literally rougher. The nurse physically grabbed Chris's head, and held him still for exam. Then afterwards shoved open his eye for the meds. It all seems very Russian or German.
Italians are just louder than Americans. Liz, who has no quiet voice, will fit in well here.
There are some gorgeous people here. Even the not so attractive people dress so well that they look put together. By the way, Italians are the highest expenditures per capita on clothes than anywhere else in the world.
Had a great early morning walk today. Had hoped to get some pictures of the sunrise, but it was way too cloudy. In fact, in the haze it looked like the mountains were a giant cloud bank moving in. Sophie found a piece of ABC gum and chewed it her entire walk, it was pretty darn funny.
We miss everyone there, in all the places there is. Please keep us posted on all the details of your lives. It may seem mundane to you, but it's a treat for us.
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