Meandering to Jerusalem

What have we been doing? Many little things. And many big steps for Petra. Here are some.
 
2 Nov-This is an island of steep ups and downs. Petra walked downhill a few hundred meters (yards) 2 miles (3 km) towards town (Foria). It was too much, too soon. We got a taxi to return. But two days later we took the bus to town and walked it all up, 4 km (2.5 miles) that time. She was tired but not to the point of exhaustion as when walking down. Walking down is a lot harder than walking up. It needs far different muscles, muscles that aren’t there yet.
 
3 Nov-Petra stands on the healing leg for the first time and rolls on a ball with the other to work on balance.
 
4 Nov-We dance a slow dance together.
 
6 Nov-Petra announces, “I now have a healing leg, not a broken leg.”
 
7-8 Nov-The leg is much better. Petra can roll her feet as she walks.
 
A few days ago Petra was walking on only one side of her body. Her left hip was already rusted, frozen. The waters have helped it to “un-rust” as Petra puts it. Now she is back using both sides. Step by step, every step is important as she relearns how to walk again. She walks inside and nearby outside with no crutches. But she still carries one for security when we venture up or down the road.
 
We have been here 9 days now. The thermal waters and physiotherapy are helping her a lot. The people here are really good for that. In a week from today we will be standing at the foot of the pyramids. Petra feels she’ll be ready for that and the next 13 days of bussing and seeing.
 
They call the island we are on, “The Rock.” That’s what it is, a volcano that hasn’t erupted since 1301. But all the ground water is thermal. You cannot get cold water out of the ground. So there are many hot springs spas here. They have to get their cold drinking water all the way from Naples.
 
Ischia is a large island with a lot of houses even in the center. If the volcano ever erupts again there will be a lot of houses burnt. The other day I walked ten kilometers (6 miles), mostly up, around the Island to the south and into what was the vent of the volcano. A bus brought me back. I have to keep my muscles in tone too.
 
Once again thanks to all of you who have sent us good wishes. We appreciate every one of your words.