Gary Takes a Turn For the Worse

Hey friends, its good to be back to talk about my travels. What have I been doing? Recovering from a nasty illness.

For those of you who don't know, I have an obnoxious problem with ear infections, and I have gone through 3 courses of amoxicillin in the last month and a half, and just as I ran out of emergency drugs which I specifically brought here, it flares up to 102 fever. I missed rothenburg and am cutting 2-3 days out of amsterdam unfortunately, but I have a lot of time, so its not neccessarily true that I am going to miss all of that.

German healthcare is quite good, although I have limited experience with it. Lets put it this way: I was able to have my mom back in the usa phone the doctor who then faxed me a copy of the perscription, and then I picked some Biaxin generic, a hardcore antibiotic for 39 euros the next day. Also, for most basic and medium problems, its possible to just go to the local pharmacy [apotheke] who then takes a look, gives a diagnosis and give you the drugs. Visits to the doctor are only about 50 us dollars at a private facility. Even sans euro-insurance, its really not bad compared to the uninsured back in the states [a common phrase for back home].

The good news is that I got the drugs and the day before I got sick [thursday the 22nd] we went to Nurenburg to watch the US take on Ghana, and ended up scalping tickets for a good price....a price I won't disclose right now. We were only 9 rows from the field. American fans are ok, but its our team so you have to support them, nevertheless go to a game considering we flew all the way here. We lost, and america has no real soccers songs to sing except for USA! USA! USA! The states folks had just 4 shots on goal in 3 games, and lost 2 and tied 1, albeit that was to Italy, a contender, and the US was down to just 9 men from 11 due to redcards. If you don't understand what that means, then I've lost you and have given up. Every kid played fussbol in elementary school for goodness sakes! In all they scored 2 goals, only one of which was by a US player [thanks Italy!!]. But it was a good time, and I am glad to have taken part in the experience. Ghana's chants post game were a bit disheartening. You'd think that the richest country in the world with excess of 250 million citizens could find 11-15 great players but hey thats why the best NBA players in europe come here, the level of play is better here than overseas. Still, its an irritating little aspect to being a USA citizen. I bought an England jersey, which has the rowdiest and craziest fans, so that people won't think I am from here. Once they find out you are ok and not stupid, then its all fair game but its best not to make the euros mad at you before you even meet them, as many rude tourists at Dachau Work Camp did. One man even bragged 'bout his jersey upbringing, which fascinated and disgusted me. To each is own, but in europe do as the euros do. Just don't drink, smoke, or eat too much and try to speak the local language. I was so friendly at the apotheke that they gave me a free little portable radio! Goes to show you just never know.

Its also valuable to find locals that will show you were germans go so you can have a good time. It you are nice enough, this will happen. We met some in munich at the Hofbrauhaus beer hall that were trying to cheer up a their friend who had been dumped, and to boot the girl had made umm.... lets say a disturbing video verifying this fact. Sorry for you squeamish out there, but thats Deutchland... at least I hope not. Anyways, they showed us some of the local scene those of us from back home don't go to, which was really neat. The only thing was that these people dress quite more outlandish and talk closer, but I guess you have to get used to it. I'm still a bit uncomfortable with this even with 4 years of Delta Chi communal showers.

Anyways I have been spending my hours fighting this horrible illness and watching a little Seinfeld on DVD to make me fell at home. Alex's friends were so kind to let me borrow some movies. I have had night sweats and hallucinating dreams and terrible heat flashes. To put it this way, it really sucks to be me right now.

On tap, I am visiting amsterdam hopefully tuesday and tuesday night and wednesday, the next night in bruges, the next day in bruges, one more night there [cheap hostel] untill friday when I meet pops in paris, possibly under the Effiel tower. As Humphrey Bogart said, "we'll always have paris". If I change my number, I'll post it here and on facebook as soon as possible. Suggestions are always appreciated and comments. See you all in september except for my Dad and possibly others.