Monday, April 14, 2008

They Sell Codeine Here, Don't They?

Hmm …. I've traveled thousands of miles, only to be struck down by a serious head cold. Before I left Brooklyn, two weeks ago, it seemed that everyone in the neighborhood was coming down with a particularly vicious bug that laid them up for days at a time. I remember running into rheumy, congested friends on the street and keeping my distance, going so far as to even holding my breath so as not to get their infection—and I thought it worked. Aside from some gastric distress, I've been very fit for this expedition. Now, however, I've got a throat as dry as a husk and a throbbing headache that just won't let me fall asleep. All I can do is wrap myself in a blanket and wait, wait, wait.

I was planning on heading out to Guatemala tomorrow, but if I'm in bed all day today I might delay my departure. There's a lovely little wine bar down the street, La Viña de Bacco, run by a friendly Italian fellow, Carlo. On my first visit there, on a late Wednesday afternoon, I drank five glasses of a passable red wine, along with free botanitas, small plates of bruschetta, ham, cheese, and olives. My bill came to a startling $9. It's a dangerous sort of place if, like me, you enjoy an early drink. It's so comfy, good, and cheap that it's tough to get out the door before you start swaying. And unlike a lot of touristy spots in town, the owner and management remembers and greets you, and makes you feel welcome, something that is missing in a lot of other joints in this town.

Oh well …. Anybody know the Spanish for "really strong cough suppressant"?

9 comments:

They say it's a cold world said...

I believe to ask for "really strong cough suppressant" one would say "una copa de vino tinto, bien grande, con limon, por favor." If that doesn't get you any help at the farmacia, try it at the bar you wrote about. Hope you feel better!

mgrace said...

Yes, that's exactly what I thought. I just need to wait till a reasonable hour before I take the cure.

Anonymous said...

What is Tyler Rush doing sitting at the bar?

Anonymous said...

I don't think that's Tyler because he's much thinner now thanks to his weekly spinning class.

Anonymous said...

Get better Matt !!

:)Ulli

Anonymous said...

Matt,
I read about a 6.1 earthquake in Guatemala City....no injuries reported so I won't worry.
Did you feel it?
Tyler

Anonymous said...

Matt, if nothing worked from the farmacia, try pure cranberry juice, if it can be found. It's all vitamin C and will boost your immune system. (Cut it with bottled H2O.)
. . . penny

mgrace said...

I think that 6.1 quake in Guatemala was just aftershocks from my gastric distress in Mexico City. No biggee, I'll be going there next.

buy codeine said...

Codine Phosphate Tablets I use this and Tramadol for breakthrough pain, when it gets above the point I can cope with. Makes you out of it and confused. Plays merry hell with your bowels.