Sea Change

Genoa (via London)

We’ve been conducting a bit of an unplanned sociological investigation into medical services in three different countries. I’ve had a bad chest infection and needed various treatments and medicines, having foolishly left all my supplies on the boat, being in such ruddy good health in Puerto Rico. The Brooklyn experience was a totally Polish speaking practice. In London, instead of the Damien Hurst exhibition, I instead answered many questions from my East European National Health Service doctor about rural practice opportunities in New Zealand. It was free however. And in Genoa, from his certificate the doctor must have been nearly 80, and had a very old style waiting room with small wooden chairs, and a large wooden desk in his room. I think my Pictionary playing past helps in these moments of challenging communication, (just pleased I wasn’t asking for anything too complicated or perhaps suppository).

We were pleased if disconcerted arriving in London to Sarah and Claire’s home to find a large quantity of books, charts, safety equipment and games had arrived from our online ordering. Made squeezing it all into our cases a challenge.
Although both sick, we had some fun times including going to the pool and going horse riding with Georgie, Alex and Kate, walking through Greenwich to dinner, and generally hanging out with family. We both caught up with my nephew Danny as well. We also managed haircuts – Deborah rather unhappy with hers as she kept telling the stylist to go shorter without perhaps realising the almost number one buzzcut she was close to getting. I panicked at the sight of her, being next on the list, and really told her to pretty much do nothing. And that’s the long and short of it.

After a week in London we arrived in Genoa ready to meet Murihuku. Even though still sick then (now mostly better), arriving in Genoa was very exciting. We’ve been using a website, Airbnb, to book our accommodation. Our Genoa apartment was excellent, good kitchen, and very close to the old town and port and where residents rather than tourists live. Only downside was the 136 steps up – although as Rebecca said, thighs of steel are an incentive.

The old part of Genoa is fantastic: tiny weaving passageways through stone buildings, with many stunning buildings and artworks sprinkled throughout. There are so many small shops selling bread, cheeses, meat, and wonderful fruit and vegetables. Pesto and focaccia are local specialties, as well as salty pies, and ice cream. It’s a wonderful thing. The fruit and vegetables are just fantastic quality. I confess provisioning for a few days I’ve ended up with a large hunk of Parmesan, pecorino, soft goats cheese, buffalo mozzarella, ricotta and a hard cheese I can’t remember what. And that is just the cheese. Last night at our anchorage we ate zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and herbs, pork chops, and fresh green beans and felt most happy to have made it to Italy.