Basically, I haven't been able to keep food in my stomach for four days, which means that I barely have the umph to see much of Istanbul. Which sucks, because this seems like a beautiful place, full of well-kept historic sites. And the food here all sounds wonderful. Until I vomit -- then not so much. Made an appt. with a doctor, but she can't see me till July 7 -- and of course she'll probably charge me an arm and a leg. But I'd gladly give up both, just to get my mo-jo back.

I'm not writing Istanbul off completely -- my little nook of a room is just a stone's throw from both the Blue Mosque and the Ayasofya so went out walking for an hour or so. Really amazing -- so well preserved but so bloomin' old. And the city seems to do a good job of maintaining a sense of dignity despite the many tourists.

So now I'm back in my room to rest some more. I drank a Diet Coke, so at least I've got some nutrients -- um, well, liquid in my system. Hopefully today is the last day of being this sick, because I leave before dawn tomorrow for Spain, where I'll be driving myself around in a Mini -- and right now I can barely put two sentences together, let alone navigate an unfamiliar nation.

The adventure continues...

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