Travel troubles...

Perhaps you've noticed that it's been a while since I've been able to post (although I did just add a new post for Italy, so go read that one if you haven't yet.). Those of you who heard our itinerary might also notice that it did not include Nice at all.

These two facts are connected.

To wit: we've been plagued with illness and train problems! In the last week I've been violently ill twice. Once, in Venice, from some bad cheese (my fault), and once in Riomaggiore, from some clams (not my fault). Let me tell you, it's a little scary to be up half the night feeling horrible, in a foreign place thousands of miles from home where you don't speak the language. Fortunately Rebecca knew enough Italian to get me some medecine. I'm finally recovered enough to regular food again, but it took a couple days.

As for the train problems: a broken down train and a workers' strike in Italy, and another strike in France, have pushed our whole schedule back by four days. We were stranded in Turin (pretty but boring) for one night and now find ourselves in southern France for a couple more (Nice, fortunately, has some good museums and lots of bargain hotels).

Well, it's okay - Barcelona will still be there waiting for us (if we ever actually make it there!) In the meantime, I can finally eat something besides Italian food, and I get to practice my French. I'm surprised how much I still remember from Mr. Hessney's class in high school. Although, I did manage to scare the heck out of the hotel manager. What I meant to tell him was that the carpet in our room was wet (I later learned this was just because they'd just shampooed it) but what I ended up saying was "there is water everywhere!" You should have seen the poor old guy jump up, pointing frantically and running around. I felt bad afterwards but it sure was hilarious!