Wander & enjoy the diversity...it feeds your soul “What is more miraculous than the moment?” Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh

Their Mission: “To provide a safe and potent environment where people can renew and evolve in ways they never imagined.”

3/19-3/22/09 My husband & I went to enjoy nature, the hot spring pools, cozy cabins, & organic vegetarian meals.  We never imagined we would get so sick in such a beautiful, natural, rejuvenating environment.   We have traveled quite a bit, especially in the last few years - to places like India & Mexico for months at a time (where the likelihood of getting sick is traditionally thought to be higher), but luckily have not gotten sick.  It was years ago, while visiting a relative in a nursing home here in Portland, that we got the dreaded Norovirus.  Unfortunately, we also got it while visiting Breitenbush.  

At the bottom of the white-board welcoming sign in the lobby, there was a note about “gastroenteritis” – wash hands carefully.  So…we did…even used hand sanitizer before meals & as we do when traveling, we were careful what we touched – doorknobs, etc.  We had a relaxing, enjoyable time until the last night – my husband had about an hour’s notice, I had about a minute notice – before those darn, violent Noro-viruses attacked…I fainted, hitting my head on the floor, bloody nose, etc.  We were so weak, I envisioned the ambulance having to pick us up & give us IV fluids just to get us home, but after about 10 hrs, we were able to walk to the car & drive home.  

I understand the Norovirus is very, very, difficult to kill even with sanitizers & it is has been around for centuries – also very common in nursing homes, cruise ships, etc.  I understand it can happen anywhere, anytime…it’s just a nasty virus!  What I don’t understand, is why, after notifying Breitenbush that we had gotten sick - - so that they could clean our cabin extra well & to continue to be on the alert for the cause or ways to minimize the spread to others more vulnerable, like babies, children & older folks…why we didn’t hear a word – of concern or a word of what they were doing to protect others…anything?  It has been 3 months now – still no, “sorry you were sick,” or “we are doing X, Y, Z,” to help make the buildings or environment as safe as possible, etc.  I am surprised & disappointed that a business with a mission “to provide a safe…environment” hasn’t taken the time to promote a caring concern for at least 2 of their customers.  Natural setting - nice, but…why no response?