Bruce Carver Sabbatical Blog 2004-2005

bcarver@fps.k12.me.us

Saturday, April 30, 2005

Recovering from virus in Paris

Have had a slight delay in reaching el Camino. Contracted a virus while touring with my niece. She flew out Monday also not feeling well, initially shaking it off as a cold. At airport I was dragging, and suffering from headache. Said our lethargic goodbyes. I thought I would faint going to my hostel, especially the fifty foot staircase leading up to the front door from a lower street. Then checking in and being given the fifth floor with no elevator gave way to further dizziness. Upon further analysis, and thrity seconds of a digital thermometer in my mouth, voila 102 degrees (pack one)!
Fever broke later that evening, after laying low and taking Tylenol and applying cold washcloth compress on neck and forehead.
Next morning I felt well enough to go out and found myself hiking the dome and rooftop terraces of Sacre Coeur! Next was delivering some surprises to Hotel Concorde to leave in room for the pending arrival of my mother and grandmother who would reach Paris via chunnel after a few days of London. Wow, what timing--there was their tour bus out front with both seated in front, easily visible. A wave and I was on the bus placing a bouquet in my mother`s lap for her birthday and semi-retirement! Hugs and chit chat, the tour members were released by their guide to check in. We lunched and walked about the area, making plans for the next couple days.
The Louvre and Giverny gobbled up the majority of our two days.
My health quickly relapsed, and I found myself right back in bed after Giverny and farewells to Mom and Grandma. No hugs upon departure, just a white surgical mask to protect them and others from my germs, which by now were confirmed to be a virus. I received a text message from niece with doctor`s diagnosis.
The view from my room is extraordinary. I know it well!