Far From The Sticks: I Saw Jesus In Greece

I really did. Several times. In the hospital. I have never been in the hospital for myself before, never broke a bone or needed stitches or even urgent care. I chose to break this streak on my parents vacation visiting Turkey and Greece. Did I do this in Turkey where I had been living for five months and where it would be inexpensive? NO!

After my parents met Bülent’s parents and stayed in Marmaris for a few days, it was off to the Greek Island of Santorini with a daytrip in Rodos on the way. I had gotten a stomachache on Wednesday. It was unpleasant but I thought nothing of it. (TMI Warning) I have a gastro-intestinal issue commonly known as IBS. (Or--You did something horrible in a past life and now have to pay!) Stomachaches are part of the package of eating anything but yogurt, bread and water. So I got this stomachache on Wednesday and every night honestly believed it would be gone by the next day. So on Saturday, when we are touring yet another beautiful historical sight, I begged my parents to go on without me. Because by this time I could not walk without to cry. I thought I might need an exorcism to kill the demons that had taken up residence in my intestines.

While we waited for the night ferry to Santorini, instead of touring the Old City of Rodos, we had a lovely excursion to a Greek hospital, which is where I saw Jesus. In every room. There was a painting high up on the wall which varied between different themes. I was glad to see him becuase I thought I might need some prayer after looking at the prices in Euros. Do you know what the dollar is against the Euro. If you don’t, please don’t look it up. It is too depressing. Unless you are not American and your currency is worth more than toilet paper. Anyway. I got a diagnosis (IBS—Shocking!) and some stomach meds and we went on our way. That is, Bülent and the family went out to dinner, while I rocked in fetal position in the car. Thankfully the medications helped and I now am absolved of any sins I might have committed in a past life.

I did get to see Old City of Rodos later, because Bülent and I had to go home to Marmaris by way of Rodos on the ferry and it was lovely.