Sick in France

This will likely be one of my last posts from Marseille. Wow. In a week, I'll be flying over the Atlantic, on my way to Toronto. This year has gone too fast. One of my regrets, is that I've been sick a lot during this year in Marseille. Colds, flus, sinus infections, extreme fatigue, fever, etc. I've been to the Dr and the pharmacy more this year than the past 5 years combined. I'm not exagerating. I'm just now getting over my second sinus infection in 2 months. For 4 days I could not taste or smell anything. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Nul. Zip. Made me extremely grateful and aware of my sense of taste (and smell) when it finally returned.
This is a picture of a French pharmacy, a sight that I've become familiar with. The green glowing cross sign can be found in every neighbourhood, usually within easy walking distance. You need to go to the pharmacist, describe your symptoms or what you're looking for and they will find it for you. Almost everything, except soap, beauty supplies, etc are kept behind the counter. Including pain medication, allergy pills, travel sickness medication. All stuff I'm used to picking out on my own. But it's actually kind of nice to just walk in, say hi, explain how sick you are, get a compassionate nod from the pharmacist, and then he/she returns with your medication. Of course, anything like antibiotics, serious pain meds, etc need tobe perscribed by a Doctor.
Well I should close this post...I can hear thunder booming. Hopefully we get some rain. It's only rained once since early May. It's so dry here! And hot...been over 35C for 2 weeks now.