Italian Healthcare

Well, we didn't get through 1 week before hitting the ED in Italy.  Charlotte had a high fever for a few days then wouldn't eat and was very lethargic so we brought her in.  I was there for 14 hours just waiting for her to give a urine sample, but she had nothing in her to give.  She's fine now, but it's definitely not like America's health system.  I'm used to trying something and if it doesn't work, try something else.  Here, it's try this and try it again, and again, and again, etc.  One way and that's all.  They would not let me leave until they had a sample from a bag they placed on her which failed multiple times.  No IV and fluids like I was hoping for.
I did find out though that Italians are very nice and social people.  Everyone in the waiting room talk with one another including 12 year old boys.  This family had purchased a bottle of water and went and found a cup and made me drink a cup of water.  In what tiny Italian I can understand I could tell that they kept asking the nurse about what was going on with my baby and making sure someone was taking care of us.  Then everyone who left, I was the last one in the waiting room, had to say "Ciao" to everyone in the room including a friendly wave to me.  I have also been really impressed with the army base doctor that I've met who happened to see Charlotte's name at the hospital and got us discharged and set up with a new appt on base so I could take her home.  Well done!

Well, we will be out and about soon looking for houses and I will get a chance to take pictures.  This is a beautiful city and I am happy to be here and share it with everyone.