As opposed to the putrid, backwater place with stone everywhere? [she laughs, settling into a routine she thought would be long gone by the time she set sail.] You could have picked a better place for a holiday. An island, perhaps, up north with large muscular tan men greased up from head to toe.

[like a scene out of one of her favourite novels...but alas, fantasies will remain fantasies.]

Have you tried asking for a crooked answer instead? Perhaps you'd get better results.