La febbre

I have been unwell lately, struck down with the dreaded Italian febbre. It was my very first febbre - or fever as we say in English. La Febbre is taken very seriously in Italy. It seems that Italians are born with the ability to spot a fever, correctly measure ones temperature without a thermometer and they have many a local remedy to get you back on your feet. Listen carefully when you are out and about in Italy as you will always, ALWAYS hear someone talking about la febbre.

This fretful fever hit me when I least expected it. A few nights ago my right ear felt strange. I have sensitive inner ears and spring is in the air here. I was certain that I was coming down with an ear and throat infection - what with my sensitive sinuses mixed with hay fever, add some DIY (a.k.a dust everywhere)in the house, on top of the very hot, sunny day which saw me walking around town with (shock horror) just jeans and a t-shirt. Yep - I had my arms and chest bare! So, with all of these elements combined I woke up in a pool - a giant sea really - of sweat.

Bel fidanzato took my weak, fragile wrist as I lay in bed with a stabbing pain plunging in my ear and throat every time I swallowed. He whipped out the watch, was silent for one minute and gently giving me my wrist back, diagnosed me with la febbre. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, maybe you know - but I did not - a fast pulse rate is a sign of the fever. We never found out what my temperature was as we couldn't find a thermometer but that was neither here nor there.

You get special treatment when you have the fever! Everyone is worried about your well being. Bel fidanzato took such good care of me, even letting me have control of the remote control. His mother popped in to check on the dying daughter in law, and today - now that I am well enough to leave the house - I had many concerned Malitani asking me how I am.

If you are sick then Italy is definitely the place to be! I cannot wait to have a baby and be given special treatment for 9 whole months!