Public Service Announcement

Siesta fail.  I got a little nap and took a pain reliever and decongestant, but my sore throat, fever and general malaise have won the day and I still ended up having to cancel on tonight's dinner and walk in the city. Madrid was a place I'd really looked forward to seeing, and the thought of not being able to get out while I'm here saddens me.  It appears, though, that trying to push through and participate in everything over the past couple of days has made me worse.  I can't get back home feeling this way, because there's too much to do on my return, and work starts again just over 2 weeks from today.  I don't want to let this slow me down, but it looks like my only choices are taking a break from the tour or never healing.

It's hard not to be bitter at the person who brought this to us from Australia, since it's now affected several people and resulted in an older gentleman having to call a doctor to the hotel a couple of days ago.  I'd hoped this blog would be something enjoyable to read, but it's turning out to be more of a hypochondriac's journal than a travel diary.  So, if you've made it this far, at least let me give you a little free medical advice:  If you're going on an international trip, especially with a group that will be in close quarters, please consider that what's simple "crud" for you might be a new and exotic bug for someone from another continent or a result in a severe illness for someone who's older or immunocompromised.   If you feel compelled to follow through with the journey in spite of an infectious illness, take precautions to keep from spreading it until you're completely recovered.  Surgical masks might make you look funny, but it's your choice and your responsibility. 

(The more you know 🌈⭐️).