Day 17: 9/30/12 - I'm ready to go home

I had an even more chill day today - got up, lazed by the pool, ate some lunch at the marina, did some souvenir shopping, sat at the beach for a bit (rocky and cold water, boo), came back and napped/read, had dinner at the marina and am about to call it an early night.

The biggest thing that happened today is that I decided to cut my trip short and not do Rome. It was a sad decision but definitely the right one. My stomach and energy levels aren't nearly right and feeling sick after I eat anything and only being able to do stuff for a few hours a day is just not a state I wanted to be in while trying to explore Rome and enjoy wonderful Italian food. So I spent a bunch of time doing research and thanks to wonderful skyscanner.com found airfare that was not that expensive and bought a flight it for tomorrow. I have an overnight layover but if I can convince the airline to let me fly standby then I can avoid it. Otherwise ill hang with a friend that night and still get home 36 hours earlier than I was supposed to.

I know 36 hours isn't a lot and that I could have toughed it out but I realized that there are two ways traveling can make a person feel - free (95 percent of the time) and trapped (5 percent of the time). Right now I feel trapped, because I'm not feeling well, I can't do what I want to do and I don't have my regular comforts around me. And, well, what is the point of traveling an couple more days if it makes me feel that way? Why force myself to see stuff in Rome and not really enjoy it? I'd rather come back when I'm a hundred percent than do it like this. So, Jyoti looking out for Jyoti, I'll be home soon. And. I. Can't. Wait.

Oh below is a picture of my view from the marina during dinner today. Astounding sky eh?

Day 16: 9/29/12 - I <3 Capri

I'm writing this on 9/30 so will be short but had a wonderful day in Capri yesterday! My stomach is still bothering me so I was only up and about for 5 or 6 hours but I made the most of those!

I am staying near the port so when I woke up I took the Funicular (a tram) up the mountain to the main plaza in Capri. Now I know why everyone always says capri is so ritzy - because it is! All the streets surrounding the plaza had designer shops and even the restaurants were super nice and also super pricey. But I figured since I would be having my first real meal in days that I would treat myself.

I ate at this restaurant that Corrin recommended called Aurora. It. Was. Delicious. I tried to take it easy and so just had a little mozzarella appetizer and then half a thin pizza, but even that was a lot for my tummy to handle. the restaurant was also on a cute little side street, see a picture of my view during lunch below.

After that I wandered the town, ambling in and out of shops and eventually started searching for those handmade Capri sandal shops. Not only did I want a pair for myself but I thought it would be the perfect gift for Poops.

There were a couple of shops but I picked the one where I liked the styles the best (I don't have the name handy, I'll add it later). Basically I picked a style and then they handmade the sandals right in front of me! I could pick which leather straps I wanted and they custom fit it to my feet. Which, if you know my hot dog feet, was a deal-maker in itself. Check out a picture below of the guy (cobbler? That doesn't sound meaty enough ...) making my sandals.

The only sad part about this story is that I wasn't able to get a pair for poops. They are quite pricey, which I didn't mind, but I think a lot of the value is being able to custom fit them to your feet, which we obviously wouldn't be able to do for her. Ah, I guess we will just have to come to Capri another time.

After that I grabbed a quick bite of gelato, but only ate a couple spoons because my stomach was still iffy and headed back down the mountain to my hotel.

I spent a couple hours reading on my balcony with a view of the sea, which was great except that I got EATEN ALIVE by Mosquitos. And those who know me know it isn't a pretty sight when that happens. I have bites all over my body and the worst one had swelled up to now 3 inches in diameter and is red, rock hard and hot to the touch. Yummy, I know.

Anyway later that night there were random fireworks over the sea for some reason so those were cool to see and then I went to bed, super popped from such an eventful day. Note the sarcasm.

Day 15: 9/28/12 - Danke Berlin, Ciao Capri!

Well friends, it took a LOT of really slow walking and wearing my backpack without the hip straps but I made it to Capri. If there is any place to recover this is it.

Capri is a lovely little island off the coast of Naples and from what I have seen so far it is beautiful. Check out the picture below from the port, breathtaking.

Getting here was pretty easy too - flew into Naples, took the Alibus to Molo Beverello and then the quatrefoil fast-speed ferry to Capri. Oh and as a bonus picture, below is also the lady sitting in front of me on the plane. Check out her scrunchie. And shoulder pads. In a knit shirt. I can't make this stuff up.

I got here pretty late in the afternoon and the combination of my stomach/intestines still screaming at me (I had to take meds again, booo) with being exhausted from not having eaten anything except pretzels and water made me know that I had to take it easy today. So I just sat on my sea-facing balcony and read for a while and now am going to go to bed early. Tomorrow will be a day for some exploring and hopefully even some true delicious Italian food and gelato. A girl can dream can't she?

Day 14: 9/27/12 - One of the worst days ever

I really like traveling alone. I enjoy the me time and don't really get lonely or crabby. This day was different. This day was one where I would have paid millions to be able to be teleported back to my parents' place and be under their love and care. All that makes me happy about it is that it is now the next day and I am writing about it after the worst is over.

I woke up early this day, without an alarm, which, if you know me, is very very unusual for me. I quickly realized why. My stomach and intestines had raged a war. Let's just say for the next 5 hours I was in the bathroom at least every 20 minutes, expelling everything in my body, including 2 sips of water and even "nothing" when I hadn't ingested anything. Let me tell you, there is not a much more miserable feeling that that, and I didn't even have the energy to cry.

I reached out to my friend in London who had had something similar recently and she not only told me what OTC meds she took but was kind enough to call the concierge at my hotel who was then able to go get them. I tried those and they didn't work either.

After the 6th or 7th hour straight of this I decided I needed to see a doctor. Luckily the concierge (who I HAVE to write a thank you note to) was able to call one who came to my room in an hour or so and spoke some English. This guy was my savior. He gave me two injections to stop everything and the prescribed a bunch of meds to help on an ongoing basis (both of which I have taken multiple times over the last 24 hours). He said I had some gastroenteritis but that I wasn't too badly dehydrated and that I didn't need to go to the hospital (thank God). Also, he had to give me the injections in my vein (he had to mix it with some of my blood?) and I have to say, this guy was so skilled at that, more than most of the phlebotomists I have ever been to. I wish he was my doctor in the US!

After he left I basically slept for the next 16-18 hours only getting up to print my boarding pass, pack and expel everything in my body only 2 or 3 more times (that is progress my friends!). By the time midnight rolled around I was feeling about 50 percent better and knew I would be able to continue on to Capri but holy moly, that was awful. Like one of the worst days I have ever had. I'm so glad it is over.

Day 13: 9/26/12 - thank you London (part 2), Guten Tag Berlin!

I'm writing this post a few days late in account of the recent events but I'll remember as much as I can :)

I got up early for a flight to Berlin and happily (for me at least) Corrin had to be up early that morning for work too so I got to see her one last time.

The flight to Berlin was totally nondescript (a good thing) and then I took the train to the Friedrichstrasse stop which was near my hotel. Even though everyone was super friendly and helpful I don't know a lick of German so that made things tough.

After chilling in my hotel room for a but I went out to explore. I actually had signed up for a free walking tour but when I got to the meeting place I just couldn't do it. I wanted to be free to explore the city as I wanted and couldn't commit to someone else's itinerary. I guess that is the "P" in me.

Anyway I started off near Brandenberg gate and then walked over to the Reichstag. I then ambled around Tiergarten for a bit before heading off to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Both the memorial outside and the museum downstairs were beautiful and moving. Below is an iPhone pic of the opening to the museum, a quote that is very beautifully said.

After that I just walked around a bit and it was interesting to see how "modern" some of this city is ... At times I felt like i could have just as easily been walking around Boston or some other smaller American city.

Then I headed to the Checkpoint Charlie museum, which I had heard a lot of great things about. This museum was built where there used to be a checkpoint across the Berlin wall and has a ton of history about people who tried to cross and escape as well as about the wall and surrounding politics. I have to say, I was a bit disappointed by this museum. It was very poorly laid out, difficult to follow and had a lot of superfluous information. I really wanted to be excited by it but I just wasn't.

After that it was almost 10pm so I headed back to the hotel. I had been thinking about not going to Munich as I knew it would be a lot of partying and socializing with Oktoberfest and I just wasn't in the mood for that. So, I decided to go to the beautiful island of Capri instead. I spent a couple of hours looking up information and making bookings and finally went to sleep.

I had a very unrestful night of sleep, so I was extra glad that I had made that choice, but not as glad as I would be the next day ...

Day 12: 9/25/12 - No wingwalking. Sad face.

It's actually 9/26 and I am in Berlin but I don't want to fall TOO far behind so thought I'd write at least a quick recap of yesterday.

-Wingwalking was canceled because of the rain and windy weather. It ended up being beautiful and sunny but still too windy for us to go out. Sad. Sad. Sad.
-I did some laundry and lazed around and read in the morning.
-then I had lunch with Eyal and ate one of the best burgers ever. It was soooo good to see my old LT75 friend and he made me want to go to burning man more than I even have wanted to before.
-then I went over to Malte and Steffi's for a bit to watch Lukas because Steffi got super sick. Poor girl :( also poor kid - he was so overtired, also not feeling well and confused with the new people and so he was having a hard day too :(
-then had a lovely dinner with Corrin at the most delicious tapas place and of course with great conversation. I miss that girl so much!

Now I am in Berlin which is already such a fascinating city. More tomorrow when I'm not exhausted from the early am flight!

Day 11: 9/24/12 - Great times with great friends in London!

Short post today but had a great day, despite the pouring rain and freezing temperatures. I slept in at Corrin's place and then headed over just a couple blocks to see Steffi and the cutest 1-year old ever - Lukas. We spent the afternoon playing around and catching up. I can't believe the last time I saw her she was just starting to tell people she was pregnant! We had lunch at this cute little place called Med Kitchen and then I headed back home.

I took a little nap and did some reading and soon it was time to call the wing walking place to confirm that we were on for tomorrow. Saddest. News. Ever. They told me we had to cancel because he weather was going to be too windy. I am so bummed out, I had been looking forward to this for months :( Well, I guess that just means that I will have to come back to London in the spring.

After that I headed out to dinner with Corrin and two of my section-mates from bschool. It was really nice to just chill and catch up. Then Corrin and I headed back home, caught up for a bit and went to bed. A nice relaxing day in the middle of a hectic trip!