Quick. Call Dr. Spaceman

On Wednesday, while talking to a friend, I mentioned that while most of the teachers at the school were getting quite sick, I was feeling pretty great. Naturally, I woke up yesterday morning with a serious sore throat. And by this morning, I was convinced my annual strep throat had decided to arrive. We had to be at school early today (9am! can you believe the things they put us through?) to greet the mothers coming to watch kindergarten classes. We finished that around 10, so I decided to venture out to the doctor before my classes started at two. Jocelyn referred me to her doctor, who speaks English quite well, but whose office is all the way on the other side of town. Monica, one of the Korean teachers, offered to call and make an appointment for me, and with 10 minutes of asking for a reference, I was in a cab by myself (read: Jake didn't feel like coming with me), directions in Korean written out for me, and on my way to a part of town I've never been.

The cab ride lasts about 20 minutes (and costs about 6 bucks, which here is quite expensive.) The driver stops at a red light at an intersection that has about 16 roads all coming together, and tries to point me in the right direction. The problem, however, is that he points in three different directions. He grabs my Korean directions, points to the first word, and then points down a road back and to the left. Then points to the second word, and points straight ahead, and then randomly just points to another building to my right. All the mean while saying things in Korean as I just stare at him. Once the light turns green, he starts to go and then slams on his breaks. Turns around, and points again to the building on the right, again all while speaking in Korean, and holding up five fingers. So I point to the building, hold up five fingers, and he nods. Ok, that building. Fifth floor. Sure.

At this point I take it that he wants me to get out, but I can't see a sign for the clinic I need. Wary of holding up traffic, I pay the nice man, and head to the unmarked building. Inside is, most likely, a very helpful sign explaining what is on each floor. Naturally, it's entirely in Korean. Alright, to be expected. Nervously, I enter the elevator knowing full well I could be heading up to just about anything on the fifth floor. Luckily, the stars had aligned. As I got out of the elevator, the only door I saw said Peace and Mind Body Clinic (or something like that). From here, things went smoothly. The receptionist spoke enough English to keep me from making a fool of myself. I filled out about half a sheet of information, and was in with the doctor in about 5 minutes. So far, health care in Korea rocks. He asks me a few questions, checks out my throat and I'm back in the lobby getting my prescriptions printed by the receptionist in no time. Then, comes the scary part. She's printing the receipt. I have absolutely no idea how much this is going to cost me. All I know, is it's a very nice office in a VERY nice part of town, with an English speaking doctor, who saw me in 5 minutes. Finally, I see the total.

What?! That can't be right. 11,900 won?? But that's less than 10 bucks! Ok, now I know Korean health care rocks. But then I see the prescription list. FOUR prescriptions. Ah, I think to myself, that's where they get ya. Four prescription drugs for who knows how much money. And how convenient, the pharmacy is right down the stairs. Now I see through their little scheme. So I head down to the pharmacy to get my antibiotic, anti inflammatory, something to make the first two not bother my stomach, and a fourth pill just for the hell of it (only 3 of them were explained to me by the doctor). But when the nice ladies come back with my prescriptions, they coat only 9,800 won. Less than 9 bucks. I couldn't be happier. And each does is separated out into these neat little plastic pouches, so every 8 hours I just open one little pouch and everything I need is right there. (I wanted to have pictures, but with my camera cord sill in PA, and the whole I-don't-really-feel-like-looking-for-Jake's feeling, well, you get the point).

Two small but really awesome side notes to the whole "My First Trip to the Doctor":
1. Korean medicine works way fast. After taking my pills, my throat feels better within about 20 minutes, and stays better til just about the time for the next dose.
2. My taxi driver on the way back, looked exactly like Kim Jong Il, but with shorter hair. He even had the sun glasses and everything. And, he hummed/sang most of the ride home. I must say, he can carry a tune.