Nick and I have a rule that only one of us can be sick at a time. This week that rule was broken. On Tuesday night and all through Wednesday, Nick said his feet ached, his legs ached, his back ached… he ached all over. He never complained all through the cancer experience, but he complained this week. I was hoping it was nothing more than a brief virus. Meanwhile, I began to have digestive system issues.
Fortunately, Nick felt much better on Thursday morning, so he seems to have had a virus, but he lost a pound this week. I hope my problem is a virus, too, and that it leaves quickly.
I was somewhat surprised when Nick said he felt well enough to travel to Florida in early October. We’ve never been to Sarasota at that time of year, but the weather should be mild, and Nick will be able to leave all thoughts of his cancer experience behind him.
Our long-term dream is a trip to Italy with family members who want to visit our ancestral towns. I hoped that we might be able to go to back to Europe before we start planning that trip. In January we went to the Travel Show at the Javits Center in Manhattan so that we might get ideas for a trip we might take after my retirement in June. Nick’s illness made travel at that time impossible, but we did get on several mailing lists.
Recently Grand Circle Travel began to send us information about their trips for the remainder of this year. Prices are greatly reduced because they want to fill their empty spots. We had thought about doing a river cruise, but I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy being out on a boat in November. They had a land tour to Italy available, with one week in Tuscany and another on the Amalfi Coast. Nick has always done our travel planning himself, but I thought this was the time for Nick to sit back and let someone else do the planning and the driving. We booked the trip.
Our first tour! We are incredibly excited! We have at least six more weeks for Nick to recover a little more each day. Our friend Shelly, who had a similar cancer, told me that his wife booked a trip for the two of them one month after his treatments stopped, and with that to look forward to, he had to be ready, ready or not.
The Tuscan towns we will see are Chianciano, Radicofani, Florence, Pienza, Siena, and Cortona. We’ll also see Assisi and Orvieto in Umbria. We’ve been to a few of these towns, but there’s no such thing as too much Tuscany. Returning to Florence will not be a problem because it’s my favorite city and there is always so much more to see there. When we travel, I typically carry the travel books while Nick carries the camera. I confess that I have kept the fact that there is a science museum in Florence from Nick when we were there before. Yesterday I told him about the science museum. I have no doubt that we’ll fit in a visit there if it’s at all possible, and that will be fine with me.
When we were in Assisi in 2009, I was overcome by the summer heat. The cathedral was dark and crowded and we didn’t get to see very much of it. I welcome the opportunity to go there when the weather is cool and there are fewer tourists.
As for the Amalfi Coast, it is touted as being absolutely beautiful, and we’ve never been there, so it will all be new to us. We’ll be seeing Sorrento, Herculaneum, the Archeological Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Capri, and Montecassino. Even though we have no ancestors from any of these cities or towns, being there will still be a dream-come-true.
BTW, my stomach issue is gone so I also had a 24 hour virus, a different one from Nick’s.
We have traveled with grand Circle and OAT for the last 10 years and three times on a River trip. Next year in May we are doing their three weeks river trip through France and the vineyards. You will love it. GC and OAT look after your every issue, problem and are there to help you with anything. All I have is praise for them. I am so excited you are going to Italy to visit your roots. Good for the two of you and so happy that Nick is willing to travel.
Sounds like a fabulous trip! Glad you both are feeling better.
I’m so excited for you two. My husband just got back from a 3-week trip to Europe with his sisters, brother and cousin to find their ancestral roots. Their grandfather’s family in Estonia had lost touch with them for over 100 years, and only with the help of Ancestry.com were they able to reconnect. It was an amazing and very moving trip for all of them. Many stories were exchanged. Last year we spent a couple of weeks in Italy and every bit of it was beyond fun and amazing. I know you’re going to have a grand time.
Hi Barbara and Nick,
Flu-like symptoms seem to be all over the place this month. Marilyn had a week’s worth and several friends similar symptoms here in Santa Fe. Glad it was quick for you both. Today’s paper suggests two different Flu shots this year; get yours before traveling.
Marilyn and I were in Italy in 1985 with Cheryl and Bob Schwartz, whom you and Nick may have known from Harold’s first post NCSS company (which name is forgotten). Several interesting experiences happened on that trip, which is a long story I’ll relate elsewhere, except for two: 1: I was smacked on arm by a Swiss Guard for leaning on the wall of the Sistine Chapel. And 2a. We drove from Rome to Florence, and on the autostrada saw a sign, Orvieto, and Marilyn said, “that’s where our cute chicken pitcher came from. and it’s lunch time. So we pulled off and took the round and round drive up to the walled city. The first thing that we saw was the Cathedral, with its distinctive checkboard wall pattern. The second thing was the pottery store. Don’t ask how much we bought and what it cost to ship it home. We still have several of the most interesting pieces. 2b: We asked there where can we eat lunch and was directed to a small restaurante, where four of us ate a full meal (with Orvieto wine of course) for the equivalent of $11US. Perhaps the best Italian meal we ever had. If you are able, don’t miss that beautiful town, and enjoy the entire Tuscan experience. I’m sure it will be a welcome diversion from your difficult experience.
I’m glad your all doing better. What a trip to look forward to. I’m going to have to pick your brains as we, along with friends and family, are looking into a trip to Tuscany next year. Keep up the good recovery.
That is truly a great trip to look forward to! Anna was on a choir tour after graduating from high school on the Amalfi coast. The pics were beautiful! Louis’ sister visited last year and loved it. In Sienna look at the frescoes of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ government …..
This sounds like the perfect antidote at the perfect time. Two weeks in two fabulous regions at a great time of year. Smart thinking!!
HOW WONDERFUL!