Under the Weather

Monday 26 January---------------Today's gray skies were very much reflected in my time of "Estoy enfermo" (I am sick). After a 3-day weekend of the paella fiesta, some fairly aimless meandering, the pre-concert park trekking, classical music, laundry and a touch of homework, I awoke Monday at the very late (for me) hour of 7:30 am, on a day when class starts at 9 am. You'd be surprised, but 90 minutes on the first day of a new week goes by quickly. I had half a loaf of bread left over, so made a breakfast of toast w peach marmalade, fresh strawberries and a Valencia orange, along with the obligatory coffee, which takes its own sweet time, thank you very much. Showered, dressed and got the apartment ready for the weekly housekeeper (because one always cleans for the house cleaner) and started on my way to class when an off-kilter sensation hit me, followed momentarily by a light headed-ness that did note bode well. The stroll to escuela is four minutes any other day but today took the better part of ten. I sat on a bench outside thinking that a minute at rest would help, but felt worse. Now it was the stomach kicking in.------------------------------------------------------------------- Went in anyway and realized that 4 hours of intense language instruction was not going to cut it this day. "But how will I make up those 4 hours?" I asked myself. At that point, it was a non issue. I told the front desk that I was ill and was heading home, and they asked if I could make it back safely. I lied and told them yes, and did, in fact get back in one piece. On the way, I saw something I had not noticed before, right near my door:

I guess the city felt bad and decided to name a street after me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crawled onto the couch and turned on News Europe. Looked at my watch and it was about 9:20. Next thing I know, the phone is ringing and Escuela Taronja is calling to see how I am. I look at my watch, it's after 11. Holy smokes! Sleep comes again. I hear a voice in my groggy state, it's the housekeeper saying hola. I announce my infirmity and she proceeds to tidy up. Again, sleep. Wake up and now the watch says 1 pm. Wow, out for three and a half hours........no return to class for me today! However, I do feel better enough to spoon down some belgian chocolate ice cream. Always good for what ails you, right?--------------------------------------Felt much better come evening and decided to walk to Gym Q in my neighborhood, El Carmen, and look into signing up for the rest of my time in Valencia, as I am missing my strength exercises in spite of a great deal more walking than usual (Europe!). A tiny little space but with the free weights and machines (crammed very tightly) that I miss. It's three minutes away and 60 euros/month - works for me. Now trying to get my new Kindle working, which likely will take me a few days, given my tech bona fides. Early to bed tonight and I have the morning to catch up as first class is not until 12:45.-----------------------------------------------------------------BTW, what a snowstorm on the East Coast - enjoy, New Englanders! (And apparently those of you in New York State, the mid-Atlantic. the South and the mid-West!)