Misadventure Memoirs

At high school, I studied Latin for a year in the 3rd Form. At the time I thought it was daggy as, and I couldn’t wait to dump it as an elective the following year. (Oh the folly of youth!) I’ve wished pretty much ever since that I’d kept it up for at least another year, if not two!

Gaudeamus Igitur was our school anthem and the cool (read, naughty) kids did one of two things each time we sang it. Either: 

a). Move lips to the words without making a sound. OR

b). Shout every word at the top of your lungs.

My preferred modus operandi was the latter. I would belt out the lyrics like my actual life depended on it, most often complete with opera diva head lifts and tilts and the occasional body tic for extra emphasis. After all, we were encouraged to sing Gaudeamus with gusto, particularly at sporting events and at prize giving. I can remember practically all the lyrics to this day, but I admit I misinterpreted the title to mean “greatness forever” rather than its real meaning, “let us rejoice”. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’ve been researching the affliction from which I believe I am suffering. I suspect it’s a norovirus, as the majority of our tour group has reported similar symptoms at varying degrees of severity over the last week. Daily convos revolve around who’s gone done overnight. Gruesome comparisons of experience occur in hotel lobbies as we speculate on our chances of making it on the bus to our first comfort stop of the day unscathed. 

Although I’ve pretty much ruled out Giardiasis as the cause, for some bizarre reason, each time I rush for the toilet (which is far too frequently for a normal human!) I hear the rousing refrain of Gaudeamus playing in my head… however the words have changed to “Giardiasis Igitur”, that in my mind translates to ‘giardia forever’, which seems pretty much like how long I’ve had this damn thing! 😄 I’m now into day 5 with Col following up a day or so behind me. Consequently, instead of enjoying the delights of Lisbon in beautiful weather yesterday afternoon, we caught the bus back to our hotel and went back to bed! (Well, there was also the fact that I upended the contents of my tiny espresso cup onto my top, forgetting I was holding it as I took a snap out the bus window).

Light is at the end of the tunnel however, as last night I had a Telehealth consultation with a lovely young Spanish doctor who has prescribed me some meds. We picked them up at lunchtime today and have taken first doses. Fingers crossed. 🤞