Fumble- TWIST- POP! went my ankle. Have I ever mentioned that the sidewalks here don't stay at a uniform level for more than 15 feet before they drop down or you have to step up? Well. . . they don't. So, I recovered from my blunder and went on to teach the kiddies for three hours. By the second hour I was swelling and by the time I left at noon I could't walk on my right foot.

So there I stood, tears in my eyes- one block from the main road- Irish Patrick at my side- and glued to the spot. I couldn't move. But with a little Irish help I pushed on and hopped on one foot all the way to the street. Then some nice ladies directed a cab for me and I was on my way.

I would have used my Lonely Planet to get me there- but the emergency terms in the back of the book were no help- I would have ended up at the police station- with a sprained ankle. No bueno.

So there I am, by myself, at the hospital. The second question they ask me, after what's wrong, is "When was your last maturation?". I have a hunch what they are referring to, but I say I don't understand just to be sure. He replies, "One time every month you bleed from your vagina." Ok, sorry I played stupid. "Is there a possibility you may be pregnant?" "No…", I replied, "…unfortunately no chance, unless it's from god." He got that one.

So after being wheeled around, smacked into trashcans with my wheel chair, x-rayed, and wrapped up- I got my meds. Only two days' worth! Grrr…

So that is my story- well, except that I went to meet my friends Melissa and Brian who flew in from California last night. I took my new sparkling 700NT crutches to the subway station and everything. Anyone have a purple heart to spare? They are going to kindergarten with me on Friday- they brought Easter Candy. Smart. Kids will probably try to trade me in for them. "We want new teachers- no teacher Grette- she's crazy- we want candy teachers."

Funny- they actually say "Teacher Grette is Crazy" when they see I am getting mad. Well, this has gotten too long. Must be the Chinese meds...