Last night I became increasingly dizzy and upchucked several times. By this morning, I could barely stand upright without feeling like I was drunk (without the fun, BOO!). My friends encouraged me to seek care, but I was reluctant.

I justified my dizziness because I’m on a boat, there was a yellow coastal event happening which was rocking the boat pretty hard. However, the dizziness and nausea continued when I spent time on stationary land. nao e’ bom.

My resistance led me to call the hospital where I was treated after the wreck. I wrote up a script to say to them:

I don’t speak Portuguese
I know I am calling a hospital
I was in an accident on Wednesday and broke my nose and face.
May I please have someone who speaks English

Eu nao falo portugues
eu sei que estou ligando para um hospital
onde fui tratado quanddo quebrei meu nariz na ultima quarta feira
algeem que fal ingles por favor

My attempt massacred the language.

The woman who answered the phone the first time said Eu nao sei (I don’t know) and hung up. I revised my script. Despite my atrocious pronunciation, she understood. She transfered me to another number. I repeated the script that worked. She said no and hung up. I called back. The first lady answered, recognized my script, asked me to hold, then transferred me to the same woman who hung up on me again. Dang it.

Finally I gave up on that. I called 112 which is the emergency number here. I started off by asking “Do you speak English?” A little she replied. That was about the extent of what we could understand. She asked me to find someone who could translate. They must have thought I was nuts. “Voce fala Englais’?” (Do you speak English?) I kept asking everyone sheltering from the rain under the gas station portico.

A woman asked me what I needed. She kindly translated what was happening to me, where I was, and other information. Obrigado (Thank you). Wait here she said. They are coming.

I waited. They showed up. My friends were messengering me their concern. I can’t really wear my glasses right now so it’s hard to read. I reassured them as best as I could, loaded up and headed back to the hospital.

As I reported the other day, I broke my nose and my “mustache” line above my front teeth. As it turns out, that wasn’t accurate. I broke four bones in my face. No messing around here, kids. I go all out. No guts, no glory!

After consulting with colleagues and the IV being complete with my symptoms under control, the doctor suspected that my pain being out of control had contributed to my issues. An adjustment of medications, a list of warning signs, and 300 Euros later, I was on my way to the Farmacie to pick up 32 Euros of medication.

I got back to the boat, made a few phone calls to reassure my friends and loved ones of my well being (as much as I can be right now), and now I’m writing for you fine folks.

Tomorrow I’ll be trying to stuff six weeks of momentos into my two suitcases. I’ve already tried to figure out what I’d be willing to leave behind if it comes down to it. My six weeks in Europe is coming to a close. I fly out Tuesday morning for Philly, then home to Knoxville.

There are two more things I want to see before I go home. I’m hoping the weather will cooperate with me. They’re both within walking distance, basically across the street.

I’m going to sleep now. May peace be with you wherever you are or go. You are loved.