Time and money impact all our travel plans. But every so often a chance incident drives home again the simple fact that good health is a precious thing.

I spent two weeks in Thailand last month and ate all kinds of spicy and often odd-looking fruits and vegetables, only to be laid low by an upscale restuarant in downtown Honolulu!

For twenty-four hours, I was sick as a dog, with a fever, the runs, and throwing up! I lay in a dull stupor, moaning and groaning, too sick to do more than dash to the bathroom, and dream of bizare, disjointed things like IRA agents knocking at my door and my no-good freeloading relatives moving to Hawaii.

I woke up this morning a new man. I feel a 1000 percent better thanks to the tender care of my dear "little wife." It was quick thinking on my part to hide car keys, checkbook and credit cards when I first felt sick. The little angel had no choice but to stay at home and nurse me back to health.

Seriously, count your blessings if you are in good health. You won't get too far without it. Don't wait! Travel now!

Good health is a blessing. I am reminded of that fact every time my back goes out.

I know what you mean about bad backs -mine was killing me after laying in bed for 24 hours!

Degas, glad you recuperated rapidly - ironic that you fell ill in Hawaii rather than in Thailand.

Although no one expects illness or injury, "life happens." Last fall, my husband and I had planned an almost 3 week trip to Northern Italy. About a month before desparture, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and, due to surgery, we needed to cancel our trip. Although this was my second cancer in 20 years, it was a very small tumor, and my prognosis is excellent. Interestingly, for the first time, we had purchased trip insurance (through Expedia) and we were able to get reinbursed for the flights. The hotels were easily cancelled without penalty.

So, lessons learned: get trip insurance and enjoy every day, whether at home or on your travels. As I said, "life happens."

And, we're leaving in 5 weeks for the almost identical trip to Northern Italy!

-Margret

I know what you mean, I suffer with degenerative arthritis as well as neurological problems, there are days when I can't leave the house and when in remission I'm my usual dervish
Happy you are back to your usual frisky self, now give the angel the credit card

justretired - I wish you the best of luck in the future, and hope you have a wonderful trip to Italy. Sometimes life knocks you down, but you have to bounce back quick and keep acting out your dreams.

Margert, so happy that you will finally go. That is such good news!!

cigalechanta, the LW is out shopping right now - making up for lost time!

Hi My husband always teases me because being a nurse I travel with a medical kit. i usually take a broad spectrum antibiotic{ like Septra} gravol, immodium, anti inflammatories, pain killers, ear drops,decongestants,banadryl. I must say he doesn't bug me as much now because it seems we have needed all of the above at some time when in very remote places. In fact many people we have met along the way have been happy with my "kit". It has saved many a vacation from being cut short or just plain miserable.

weasel, I can relate. I had a friend who traveled with a bag half the size of Rhode Island filled with every medication known to man. He was clearly a hypochondriac. We called him Mr. Walgreens. We went to a resort for the weekend in Key West. He got a splinter in his toe from the wood deck. He needed us to take him to the drugstore so he could get something to put on it. Huh? What the hell was all that stuff in the bag?

Degas:

You've stumbled over the crucial travel lesson.

I never follow more than the most obvious health rules in the Third World (of which the most fundamental is: NEVER eat any food other than what locals eat, and avoid "Western" eateries at all costs). I carry only those medications I'm prescribed to take daily, plus anti-malaria when necessary.

Apart from a little light sunburn, I've never had a moment's problem in poor countries. There's scarcely a rich country in which either Mrs CS or I haven't at some point decided we were at death's door.

Most rich-country tourists die in rich countries. As long as we avoid Iraq, poor countries are the safest places we can possibly be.

I also carry a small kit of medical supplies. I usually don't use it, but it gives me some peace of mind.