G is for Germany and Giardia

I turned in the sun of the Mediterranean for verdant valleys, amazing hospitality and cool, cloudy days. Germany is picturesque and Linda, my host, could not be kinder. After nearly 3 days of stomach ailment (food poisoning, giardia, bad water….who knows?) I finally made it out of the house to explore the town. Besigheim is a charming village hugged by rivers and surrounded by vineyards. There are numerous trails for running and seemingly endless paths to wander about, get lost, and happen across locals gardening and working the vines. Over the weekend there was a festival complete with copious amounts of beer, brats, and wine...


One of the things I was anxious to do while in Germany was visit a spa. Unlike spas in the US, spas here are a multi-hour ordeal complete with soaking tubs of all temperatures, dry saunas, wet saunas, indoor areas, outdoor areas, waterfalls, snack bars, beer, salt scrubs, coffee scrubs, you name it, they got it… So, yesterday I drove to Baden Baden to spend the day at Caracalla Therme. Nearly 5 hours after I walked through the doors I emerged completely blissed out and fully exfoliated. The most interesting part of the experience was the brown sugar scrub. The scrub itself was not so different from what you might find in the States, but what transpired immediately after was new to me. Just when I thought it was over, a large bladder I hadn’t even noticed in the treatment bed began to fill with warm water and surround me. A bit claustrophobic at first I needed reassurance from the attendant that I wouldn’t be suffocated. “Just water” she said, “15 minutes”, then she turned out the lights and left. The treatment bed continued to fill with water until I was floating on what felt like a pan of jello or a water bed I'd rather forget from the 80's. Then it began to bubble and vibrate…then lights came on underneath and turned the room red, then blue, then green…I looked around to see if there was a hidden camera somewhere terrified of ending up on You Tube. Once I was able to relax I have to admit, it felt great. All in all, a terrific and very relaxing day.  Here's to new experiences, a sunny day in Germany, and Cipro!