I was in the middle of a lesson on Friday afternoon when I started to sneeze every two minutes. According to a Greek superstition, when somebody sneezes you should ask that person to name a number up to 24 - the number of letters in the Greek alphabet. The person or people you know whose name begins with the letter corresponding to the number are supposed to be thinking of you. So, my kids kept naming letters ...I think everyone I know was thinking of me on Friday!!! Alkis included!
Although I'm now used to his business trips abroad, I had missed him and was looking forward to a great weekend - just the two of us. He had flown back from London earlier on Friday afternoon but, unfortunately, when I finished work on Friday night, I greeted him with a slight headache and a runny nose that spoilt my make-up and lipstick. His words were music to my ears. He said I was just as beautiful! We had a light supper but I was unable to resist the vanilla fudge he brought from London and, of course, I was delighted to upload all the wonderful photos he had taken in London for My Photo Blog!
I spent most of the weekend talking with Alkis. I honestly didn't feel ill! It was just that runny nose and no, it wasn't an allergy! Ok here are my symptoms: a terribly runny nose, a slight headache, sneezing - no sour sore throat, no cough, no fever. Alkis insisted on me seeing a doctor but I told him I'd see the free family online doctor first. Then he said: "Oh really? Now I know you are ok". On Saturday afternoon, I took the Quiz - Cold or Flu? The verdict diagnosis was an allergy! I think the online family doctor was wrong. Because first thing on Monday, I visited my chemist and she gave me Vitamine C and a decongestant nasal spray called Rhinohexal (it contains xylometazoline! - whatever this is). I loved the Vitamine C - you dissolve the tablet in water and , believe me, it does taste like Fanta ! As for the nasal spray, it does wonders. My nose isn't as runny as on Friday. Together with Green Tea, this combination is probably the best to fight a cold.
I am glad you are NOT sick. I tend to have a very runny nose much of the time and sneezing episodes. I can eat something and all of a sudden, be totally congested and having a hard time breathing. I take vitamin C (not all the time) something called EmergenC.
I know what you mean about missing Lakis. I also miss Mesut. When we are together (online or in person) all I do is chatter, trying to "get him up to speed" about all that has been going on in my life here in the States. Can't wait to be with him (so I don't talk so much all the time we are together). LOL
Posted by: FaithB | November 17, 2010 at 12:01 AM
I think the online family doctor might be right. No sore throat, no cough, no fever,and .... feeling like eating vanilla fudge, well it sounds like an allergy to me. So you'd better follow Alkis' advice and see a doctor. Vitamine C and green tea will do you good anyway. Take care.
Posted by: Andreas | November 17, 2010 at 08:01 AM
I spent the whole weekend in bed suffering from a bad cold - sore throat, cough, earache, a terrible headache. I face it with Dolvan, vitamine C, lots of tea and homemade chicken soup. I am feeling better today.
Posted by: Christina | November 17, 2010 at 08:47 AM
When i was young i had sinusitis, meaning runny nose every morning, but as i grow older it lessens. I guess i'm free from that already, but i still do have colds especially in a very dusty place.
Posted by: Account Deleted | November 17, 2010 at 02:29 PM
I hope you are feeling better now, Anastasia. The last time I had a cold - that was last winter- I had to stay in bed for 3 days. But I am beginning to miss winter even if I have a cold!! I miss cold days!
Posted by: Stefania | November 17, 2010 at 07:15 PM
Moi je souffre du rhume des foins, surtout au printemps, et alors j'ai un nez qui coule sans cesse. J'espère que tu vas beaucoup mieux maintenant. Bon rétablissement et prends bien soin de toi. Bisous.
Posted by: Jean-Paul Bouvier | November 17, 2010 at 08:38 PM
Good morning, Anastasia, from Sydney Australia. It's 7:10 am here. I'm on a business trip. I'm sure that you and Alkis have a great time together when he comes back from business trips. London is my first love so I'll drop by and see the photos. If I were you, I wouldn't trust the free online family doctor! Take care! I love you!
Posted by: Constantinos | November 17, 2010 at 10:11 PM
I haven't been feeling very well either lately. A bit under the weather, I suppose. I agree, Vitamine C is a great energy booster.
Posted by: Laura | November 18, 2010 at 09:27 AM
In Northern Greece, when someone sneezes we say "ygitses", of course, and a 3-digit number for example 213. We then add up the digits (6) which corresponds to the 6th letter of the alphabet - the greek letter Z. If this is higher than 24 - example number 998 then we add up again - 26 = 2+6 = 8. I like this game. It's fun. When I have a cold, I drink a lot of tea with cinammon and honey in it. It works.
Posted by: Karolina | November 18, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Love the folklore about the sneezes : ) Glad you are feeling better too!
Posted by: Tipper | November 18, 2010 at 01:55 PM
Hi from Singapore. I'm on a business trip here and right now it's 2:55 am. You know what? I sometimes wish I had a husband like Alkis!!! Take good care of yourself. I'm still under the jet-lag effect but I think I need some sleep!
Posted by: Alexia M | November 18, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Buonasera Anastasia. I hope you get well soon. abbracia e bacia
Posted by: Lisa A | November 18, 2010 at 09:45 PM
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Posted by: Anastasia | November 19, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Thanks for the second opinion. Both you and the online doctor were right. I took Alkis' advice and saw my doctor. It wasn't a cold but allergic rhinitis I usually suffer from in Spring. But it seems that due to our unusually hot weather, I had it again!
Posted by: Anastasia | November 19, 2010 at 10:11 PM