Porto--One Handed

 

Porto-- One- Handed

 

 Bom dia,

The Real Nightmare is hooking and unhooking bras. I can't avoid this, and it really takes two hands, which I have not got at the moment, so I have to accept some pain.

Otherwise I am pain free unless I must do a task that requires two hands. I can't wear my contact lenses or my earrings. I do not remember how I got the former out, but I did. And I'm grateful that I can sleep.

Look. The sprain is bad, but the treatment does work. I have pain cream, which I massage on to my afflicted wrist and hand. I take my ibuprofen as directed. I can shower and undress and dress myself although it takes four times as long as usual. I have developed techniques for T shirts, socks. sweaters. I can pull socks on one handed and slacks, too, but the buttons are an issue. If I hold tubes between my knees, I can get enough traction to open them.

I needed food and drink. I emerged from my room and asked one of the cleaning staff to help me. I have to use the pain cream, but then I can't reapply my bandage. I don't speak Portuguese. She doesn't speak English, but she understood what I needed once I showed her my loose bandage, and she fixed me right up. I have learned to say "obrigado." I have the feeling I"ll need this word a lot. 

With the bandage secured, I felt confident about going shopping for food. My refrigerator is micro, so I must shop frequently. There is nothing wrong with my legs, and even my feet seem to have improved, so I set off. I recycled some cardboard and then walked to my preferred supermarket.

Although the exchange rate is truly awful, the cost of living in Portugal is not bad. For example I spent sixteen euro for my medical treatment at the pharmacy, and my groceries--admittedly a big trip, cost about twenty-two euro. I was ecstatic because I found hummus--my preferred European breakfast, and I also bought wine and port, plus microwave meals.

 

I think I'll be able to take a walk around tomorrow. Just don't expect tourist action.

Adeus