thereadbaron

The plane from Rome, Air Europa (new to me) is a 737. Hubby always warns of this plane, something about the instruments. The flight attendants are wearing jeans. I could get up and serve coffee and tea and no one would know the difference. Actually pretty smooth flight.

In Malaga, we pick up our rental car - a stick shift - and Hubby has to drive to Marbella. 30 minutes. But he is sick. Really sick. Coughing up green goo and not breathing well.

The Marbella Club is like a mirage. From the drive, you think you are checking into a concrete jungle. The costa del sol is so overdeveloped. There are signs everywhere for golf resorts, hotels, new condos. But then, you pull into the driveway of the hotel, and its just gorgeous. Fancy shmancy stores line the street too: Escada, Frette, Malo. I'm not feeling too good about myself right now. This seems very monied - and while it was a splurge for us, I feel I dont fit in. Hubby says to relax. So I do.

The room is huge, the bathroom luxe, the patio - overlooking palms and the pool. But Hubby climbs into bed - and stays there for 4 nights.

thereadbaron

After 2 days I go to the concierge.

My esposo esta enferma. I try to get a flight to get back home, but it is 1800 dollars. We are stuck. I sit in the room with him, sometimes on the terrace, listening to him hack, and cry, that his time - in the one warm spot (68 degrees) was ruined. No golf as planned. No new years at the orange square. no dinners at the places I reserved. no spa treatments. just lots of room service and minibar drinks.

We had our own "waiter." His name was Javier, and he took such pride in his work. He said "Let me help you. I am your waiter. I call dr. for you." and he did. And a lovely dr. came to the rescue for only 100E. And he prescribed 3 "antibioticos" - and they cost just 35E. In America it would be so much more without insurance, but I'm not going to get into the merits of socialized medicine.

I cried over Javier. Someone who loved his job - a job that many would say isn't much in America. But he was so happy. And that brought me much joy.

thereadbaron

Hubby drips his nose on the Frette linens, blanket over his head. He takes a nap and I decide it's time to see what is outside this room.

A path says "beach walk." And I take it. Everyone is smoking: Dont they get cancer in Europe? Or does the good life ward it off? And everyone is tanned like George Hamilton, and old ladies, wrinkled like prunes, look luxurious in their silk scarves and oversized sunglasses. I'm starting to think from London we should have come straight here. Maybe then he wouldnt be sick.

I get to the beach and wish I was with hubby, sitting in a chaise lounge. I'd set down my frozen mudslide in the sand, that when i picked it up, the bottom would be covered in shells, and you dont mind swallowing one of the beaches grains.

I take a walk along a pier that jet out into the meditteranean and ask a woman to take my photo. I take lots of pictures, so brandon can see the beauty. But this backfires, and he ends up feeling bad that he's missed it all.

thereadbaron

The next day, some medicine in his system, Hubby feels better. Better enough to try and drive to the Rock of Gibraltar. But we missed a turn along the way, and just stop on the side of the road, where we can see it in the distance, and take some pictures. I'd planned on seeing the barbary apes. Planned - I should have known that it wouldnt happen.

Back in the room, i head out to the pool, and he goes to the room for a nap. I'm sweating - happily. It's January 1st. We missed New Years. I fell asleep at 11. And there was no revelry in my dreams...I am so sorry he is sick. We go home tomorrow, and I don't know how he is going to survive the grueling travel day.

thereadbaron

We left the Marbella Club at 7:30 in the morning. Dropped off the rental car, and got on a flight to Madrid at 9:45. arrived at 11. had 3 hours to kill in the airport. They changed the gate though for the flight to london, and we almost end up going to Budapest. In london, we have 2 hours - and the terminal is like Dubai lite. Hermes, Gucci, luxe stores everywhere. We eat at crappy fridays and he is feeling pretty good. the break in flights is helping his ears and congestion. I go off for a half hour to do damage to our credit card.

And then the flight from London to JFK. Not like biz class which we had on the way. The worst scenario possible. a seat with no row behind us - just a wall, impeding the seat to recline. and a headwind...it took 9 HOURS to get to JFK. The last 2 hours of the journey, Hubby gets up numerous times trying to vomit in the bathroom. He looks crazy really. People are flummoxed by his behavior.

he shakes. He says "I cant stay on this plane anymore." He's clautrophobic. I wanted to cry for him. So I did.

And then, he comes back to the seat, and says the most remarkable thing.

"Im sorry I ruined your vacation."

He is sick as a dog, and saying sorry to me. And yet, I learned something so valuable. I dont need to plan everything out. i got to see some magnificent sites. So nothing was ruined.

Travel is an experience. And we certainly had one.

mah1980

What a trip report! This was a real experience for you.

Such great times, punctuated by your husband's awful illness.

Suki

Beautifully written and really engrossing - good job, thereadbaron! Your husband's illness sounds just awful. That is a travel experience one hopes never to have. Hope he is all better now.

Chicago_Heather

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was touching and wonderful to read. I am sorry for you and your husband that he took so ill. Hopefully, he will be feeling 100% very soon.

thereadbaron

He is on the road to recovery, taking it easy today at work. He needs a vacation after the vacation (oh, how many people say that...)

sundowner

What fun, a "spur of the moment" destination! I have to wait to finish reading it when I get home but I loved the first part.

Catbert

On your list for next time, you must add The Pieta. It will affect you just like David did.

xyz99

Great trip report, thanks for sharing your experience.
As a fanatic planner, I think I would’ve lost it in London. I don’t think I would’ve given up the plans, the reservations, the dreams just to go somewhere else. I’m so glad you did, and this shows that you don’t need to plan everything. The spur of the moment can be a wonderful thing.

But I’m sure you will plan your next trip to Rome

pantelia

I started reading this trip report earlier today at work, and couldn't wait to get home tonight to finish!

What a fabulous adventure yet a terrible shame that hubby was sick. You are truly blessed to have someone who is considerate enough to think of you when he is feeling so bad.

I really enjoyed reading this...I love experiencing the 'unplanned'!! Thank you!

LoveItaly

Oh threreadbaron, you had a good part of your trip work out just fine..but your dear husband getting ill during the last part..how horrible. And having to fly home ill with terrible airline seats to boot sounds like a nightmare. You are both good travellers and good sports.

I sure hope your husband gets over his illness immediately. And I hope that you two can take a lovely trip in 2006. Take care and best wishes to both of you.

thereadbaron

I'm afraid our European travels wont commence again until 2007. We are going to head to the tropics this year, unless he surprises me out of guilt!

artlover

Oh, I feel so badly for DH...what a sport. Thanks for your report and I really symphathize--my DH once got sick on a trip to Aruba and I felt so guilty when I was enjoying it!