hugs, sarge.

get well soon!

Oh, what a blunder I made!

That Balenciaga gown was owned by BUNNY Mellon. She was the donor who gave John Edwards all that campaign money which he used to pay off his baby momma.

Polly Mellen was the sittings editor at Vogue.

Oh, my reputation was almost ruined by that error!

What would Carmel Snow think? The horror!


Thin

Thin - actually the rest of us didn't even notice.

I know you had to show financial means to get your elective residency visa.

Did you have to transfer any money to Italian banks as part of getting your visa? Or will you be able to just draw money from ATMs as needed?

I don't mean to pry but I'm curious about the nuts and bolts of getting the visa and what you'll have to do to get housing and so on.

Get well soon sarge, I'm enjoying your 'diary'.

Ciao Sarge,

Tanti auguri e buona fortuna!

How long will you stay in Venice?

Oh no, I just read about you feeling ill!

Please get better soon but dont push yourself.

Wow congratulations Sarge! I know you have been planning this for a long time, but I didn't realize you were going now. I hope you feel better soon and can't wait to read more of your adventures!

I just returned from Sicily and am sadly missing gelato, among many other things. Please have a few for me!

Buona fortuna,
Dayle

Sarge, I hope you feel better soon, it hasn't been the best of starts to your Italy experience. Have you read any of Marlena de Blasi''s books? A Thousand Days in Venice would be a good one to start with.

Well Sarge, it sounds like the fates are testing your resolve! I'm so happy for you and you are my "hero" for doing this. Please carry on and let us know everything little thing.

Sign me, Vicarious

Alas, my friends, severe food poisoning has laid me low in more ways than one. :(

I have suddenly realised how much more I want to be home than here in Italy. I have cried, tossed and turned, cried some more- suffering not only from the severe food poisoning, but incredible headaches and bouts of consciensce.

What the hell am I doing?

On my 3rd day of this (Saturday), my grandkids Skyped to wish me a Happy Birthday. That sure did nothing for strengthening my resolve. :(

Here I am on day 5 of illness and still cannot manage to put any food in my mouth w/o getting nauseus. Yesterday, I managed 6 crackers w strawberry jam and a banana. I tried tea and toast this morning. That made me nauseus and I returned to bed.

I've had a lot of time to think these past few days. I dont think I can stay, now. I have no family/friends here to assist if something happens to me or should I get ill again.

Was this a test from God? If I go home, have I failed it? Or am I passing it? Is it a question of not recognizing how much more my family means to me than my dream? Was I so ignorant?

Sarge, do nothing and make no decisions until you are feeling much much better. This is probably your lowest point, just concentrate on getting well without worrying about the future. You can go home at ANY point, no need to rush now when your judgment is distorted by feeling so weak and ill. Try to begin eating a bit and have lots of liquids, you will improve soon.

You are not alone, what about all of us who are wishing you well?

Oh, Sarge, I am so sorry that you are suffering! Five days of food poisoning distress would test anyone's resolve.

I know things seem bleak now, but I encourage you to wait until your illness has passed to re-evaluate your decision to relocate to Italy. You didn't make the move on a whim, and I think a lot of the homesickness you are feeling is completely normal. Right now, you are in a temporary accommodation battling ants, poor weather, and feeling physically and emotionally miserable. Anyone would want to throw in the towel and go home.

Things may be brighter when you get to your 'permanent' location and settle in a bit.

I'm rooting for you and hope today is the last day of food poisoning!

I doubt if God would use food poisoning to tell you what to do. I would have thought he would tell you directly. Like SugarPlum, wait until your body and mind is straight, find a sunny day, sit by the water and have a long think.

My father went through the same struggle, twice, and it took him months but he did it when he was well.

My daughter accidentally dialed me while I was writing the previous post. She was trying to call my grandaughter to wish her a Happy Birthday. Flood of tears.

She told me to take one of the Xanax my doc gave me for long flights. Done. Lets see if that helps my emotional ( SO unlike me) outburst.

Thanks and sorry to those living vicariously through me. ;)

PS DD suggested the same. And we are in Florence now. Thx friends.

You can't come home.

That would be daft.

You are going to Rome.

You have a roof over your head and money in the bank.

Your kitties are coming.

You will be fine.

Go out to Vivoli and have a gelato.

Go to Farmacia Santa Maria Novella and get yourself some almond soap.

PS
Xanex and Cabernet is a glorious combo. I highly recommend it.

Thin

Thin, thank you. The Xanax is helping.:) Unfortunately, the food poisoning still has me gagging at the thought of pretty much any food/drink. Its even difficult to swallow water, but I'm managing.

Note for those who can also follow their dream--take comfort food with you!!! I would kill right now for some peanut butter or Malt-o-Meal!! :)

Sarge, you've probably been to Florence before and know your way around. If you can get a copy of Dan Brown's new book, Inferno, let it draw you to explore some of the art and tiny corners of the city. I read it this weekend, iPad in hand googling masterpieces and alleyways. I seriously considered booking a ticket for this coming weekend.

I hope you feel better soon! What do you think it was that got you?

We were in Italy about 4 weeks ago and I'm pretty sure that I saw peanut butter in the local mom-&-pop.

Stu Dudley

Sarge - hang in there! Xanax = the breakfast of champions!

Hi Sarge,

As everyone else here, I am so, so sorry to hear about the rough beginning of your trip! But don't make any decisions now.

When I moved to Garmisch in 2008, I experienced a rough patch as well. I had rented a vacation apartment for a few months and then looked for a long-term rental. Because of a mix-up with my potential landlord, my rental apartment wouldn't be ready for me for an additional month. So, I was stuck trying to find a last-minute vacation apartment in Garmisch over Christmas -- a nearly impossible task.

I gave up, I literally gave up on my lifelong dream. I went so far as to ask a friend of mine if I could come and live in her spare bedroom.

Thank goodness that my friend just ignored my desperate plea. I made it through that hurdle, and all the others that came (I am now going through the pain of getting my apartment painted -- again -- because of some moisture damage to the walls). I love living here.

So, again, I'm just asking you not to make any decisions when you're at the low point. Just wait. Get healthier. Get stronger. Get past this. When you are reveling in a perfect view with the perfect wine and food, then you can reconsider going back home.

I really think you'll be happier if you stick with it.

s

Hello Sarge, this is Lou, Peter's wife - at his keyboard. We were hoping to meet you over a spritz but you are in Florence and it sounds like things have not started so well for you here in Venice. As I sometime refer to myself as Louise56, (born in 56 and living the 57th year!) I thought perhaps my female slant on things might be helpful.
I think that illness can mess with your body which messes with your head. And now is not the time to make any decisions. You are clearly very capable and have taken up your brave adventure when you were well, and so this must be your only aim at this time - wellness.
This is a list of english speaking doctors in Florence by the American Embassy http://italy.usembassy.gov/mobile//a...-florence.html
Go and see a doctor who can deal with your physical symptoms. You alone have the strength to deal with other concerns.

Take time and focus ONLY on getting well. You will be in a much better position to decide what sort of challenges God has sent you! If Italy isn't for you, you will look back and the tricky start to your adventure will just be a memory - there will be lots of other things once you recover. But if you throw it in while your head and body are aching, that's all you will be left with - and unhappy adventure.

I do hope you get well soon, and that the weather is good in Florence. I hope it is as delightful as it has been in the beautiful Venice today.
Lou.

Keith and I will be in Venice soon, July 11.

We will be staying at the Annette Funicello Basement Motel in Cannereggio, just a few steps from Tre Archi.

We can't wait to have some real good French food!

See you all soon.

Thin

LOL, thin. I googled Annette Funicello Basement Motel and guess what came up? The Bates Hotel! Very funny, eh?

OK, I'll take back 'vicarious' until you feel better and sarge, you will. You have followed a major dream--good advice above. Hang in there.

sarge, I completely understand and identify with how you are feeling.

That said, I also know that when I go anywhere that means crossing more than a few time zones, I cannot trust myself to make a serious decision for at least a week.

And THAT said: <b>whatever you decide to do is OKAY</b>. You need to keep that in your head above everything else. You need to do what <i>feels right for<b> you</i>, and screw what anybody else thinks, because the truth is that the only person who knows what's right for you is you.

You are all so very kind and that is one thing, in my desperate slump, that I had forgotten-- if I have internet, I have all of you for support. If i was laying in my Rome apt in a similar situation, I suspect there would always be a Fodorite nearby or at hand who could help find a solution. :)

I got out for dinner with my nephew, though I could only manage a few sips of soup, a couple of cannelini beans and 3 bites of tagliatelle. But its a start.

I also pushed myself to walk from San Marco to Piazza della Signoria, down to Santa Croce and back to Duomo. Stopped to look at chess sets and purses. Alas, I still could not look at gelato yet. When I can, I know I'll be well.

Thanks, again, friends. And Lou, most appreciative of your input. I did come close to going to hospital in Venice and knew I could count on Fodor friends to look after my nephew, if it came to that. :)

Here's hoping this is the turning point. To poster who asked, I believe it was mayo on a sandwich I had that was the culprit. The free WebMD app that I got on my Kindle, as well as US govt website were great at pinpointing the culprit by exact symptoms, onset and duration. This is why I believe it was the mayo.

If I make the decision to stay, I would hope I could be a resource to another Fodorite, if needed. (Do any of you recall, a long time ago, a poster whose mother had fallen while getting off a bus in France? I have never forgotten how impressed I was with the quick and informative and kind replies to her from this Fodorite family.)

Buona notte.

Ps thanks to swandav and those w related experiences.

sarge56,

Italian medical care is excellent, and free to all tourists, so don't be afraid to avail yourself of it. Pharmacists are also licensed to treat you without a doctor visit if you talk over your symptoms with them. They have a whole long history of caring for stomachs -- Italians think it is more important than the brain! -- so even if you don't need pills, they can give you good advice about nice foods to eat that will be just as good as peanut butter.

But also help yourself by not pushing yourself. If you do not feel like eating, your body knows best. You must stay hydrated, however, and calm. If you are taking Xanax, be sure others know that if they want to prescribe medicine for you.

I don't think you are being "tested." I think you ate bad mayonnaise. This is not a life test, because life is not a test. it is to be enjoyed. Sometimes, like Judy Garland said, there is no place like home. If you feel like going home, you simply should and not think twice about what others would think if you did that.

Sarge, I think that was Kerouac who posted about his mother. It was a while ago though so I could be remembering incorrectly.

Hopefully you are on the mend now and all of what stevewith said is good. Get to a pharmacy ASAP as apart from the diarrhoea you are probably quite dehydrated by now.

I guess it's a given that at some point in a journey like yours there will be some tough times, hopefully you've gotten yours out of the way now and there will be smooth sailing from now on.

Just been reading your story and I'm sorry that things aren't going well now. While I agree you should wait until you get well to sort out your living arrangements, I also know that if you want to come home-come home. I knew a couple that moved to the UK and were very excited. Unfortunately, there job fell through and they were desperately homesick. It took them a year to finally get up the courage to go back to the states because they were worried what people would think of them.

As for being sick-I was traveling in London when I tripped and fell off a curve in the rain, which triggered a sprain in my bad knee. Since I was traveling alone I had to go to the store, buy some ice and food and return to the apt-hobbling all the way. I'm not ashamed to admit I did cry and feel very alone-even after skyping my mother. I hated London, hated the roads and my only wish was to go back home and put my feet up in my own home. Of course, after two days my knee healed, the weather turned sunny and I loved London.

My theory is that you took a risk-and it's only your business whether or not you want to continue. No one will think the worse of you. But, please get well and settled before make any hard decisions. Take care and I think you have a lot of good wishes from the Fodorites here.

Glad you are feeling better.

I refuse to eat mayo. I call it salmonella slime.



Dudette, we are actually staying at Palazzo Cendon across from Tre Archi. Will be in Venice for nine nights, one night in Milano.

Thin

Thin, my homemade mayo made from free range eggs is good. However I refuse to eat that slop that comes in a squeeze bottle from the supermarket. It's appalling stuff!

Mayo and Marmite are two things that I can't abide.


Thin

So sorry to hear things are not quite how they "should be". What an unfortunate start to your "soon to be great trip". Hang in their kid, can only get better, that's for sure. Once you have been able to eat some real food you will be able to think a bit more clearly and make the decision that is best for you.

I remember the time I first travelled solo thinking - at a low point- what the heck am I doing? It is a horrible feeling of total isolation, but remember we are here for you.

I really hope you get better soon, chin up,
Schnauzer

Hello Sarge,

Sorry you'e still not feeling good. But I would like to join the chorus of other Fodorites encouraging you not to give up at this time. When we're ill its not advisable to make life altering decisions. So , concentrate on getting better, and then you can decide if you need to change your plans. What you have embarked on is not irreversible, so don't rush to change it.
Take care, get better!

"Italian medical care is excellent, and free to all tourists"

No, it isn't free to all tourists. Why should it be?

Italian medical care is not free, but it is extremely affordable and we've been very impressed with the quality of care we've received - so don't hesitate to get care if you need it. A bag or two of IV fluids would have you feeling much better if you continue to not be able to adequately eat/drink.

Please do not make any permanent decisions in your current state!

If you are able to travel, please consider coming to stay with at our home in Pisa to recuperate. We have plenty of guest rooms, it's very quiet and peaceful and you would not have the added stress of feeling like you were "on the road" and all alone. If you want to do this, leave me a way to contact you, like a telephone number to call or an email address.

Take a deep breath and slowly exhale...tell yoursel "this, too, shall pass"...piano, piano!

Hi there Sarge. Get thee some rehydration fluids, girl!

You'll be dehydrated even if you don't feel that way, and that extends to your little grey cells.

I was attacked by some chicken on a business trip to Melbourne 20 years ago and had to hole up in my hotel for 4 days, with the doctor making house calls. I thought you'd surely have to die if you were that sick - and I wished I could just get it over & die quickly!

No wonder you're feeling ghastly - being on the wrong end of one of those nasty bugs is bad enough if you're in your own home, but it's a real cow when you're in strange surroundings.

We're not allowing "GO Home" into your vocabulary - don't even think about it after all the effort you put into achieving your Italian Dreams!

No way are you/we going to allow a dollop of slimy mayo to send you home with your tail between your legs! Pfft! You're made of stronger stuff than that - even if your backbone feels more like spaghetti than steel at this minute.

Hang in there kiddo - we all need a place to stay when we're in Italy ;) x

Information for free medical care for tourists in Florence:

http://www.florenceitaly.net/health.html

Free medical care in Rome for tourists

http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/rome-...-tourists.html

I'm appalled at these travel nuts who think a trip to Italy (of all places) is worth risking one's health for. If Sarge feels well enough to be away from home, great. If not, people on the internet are being irresponsible with this "we need you to do this" talk. Bosh. Go take your own trip if your dream world will be crushed if Sarge packs it in, for whatever reason.