Today I went to the doctor's for my toe. In a freak round-off accident in my gymnastics class, I did something to it that now prevents me from being able to bend my big left toe. So, it was time to get it checked out.
Here, individual doctors don't have their own offices or practices. They either work in hospitals, public run clinics, or private run clinics. I went to a private one a few minutes from my house, and it reminded me very much of going to the DMV. First, I waited in line to get a number. Then I waited in a lobby for my number to be called. At this point I paid for my visit. An interesting thing to note is that I was given the option of payments for my visit. Here in Chile, you have the option of payments for just about everything. That new t-shirt? Payments. Blender? Payments. Because of this, just about everyone is in some kind of debt.
After I paid, I headed to another area to wait for the Dr. The shinny, sci-fi interior continued, and expanded to include a little coffee bar, waiting to sell you coffee, salads, and sandwhiches while you are waiting.
Then I got called by the dr and we headed to the exam room. No nurses. The dr then spitfired a set of questions in my general direction about my toe, past medial history, and if I was enjoying my time here in Chile. Then a general exam at which point he said that my toe wasn't broken, but I was going to get a set of X-rays anyway.
Off to another line to pay for the X-rays, then a nice little sit. This wait was a little longer, so as I was looking around, I realized there were no reading materials. No years old vogue or highlights. Everyone else had brought their own reading material.
The x-ray was a process as well. At first they didn't want to give me one of the lead vests even though I was in the room where there was raditation. And it's not like they were lacking. There had to be about 10 vests in the room just not being used. When I asked for one they looked at me like I was crazy. They did eventually give it to me though.
I go back tomorrow to pick up my x-rays and to have a chit-chat with the Dr.
Freak round-off accident? Isn't a round-off a tame version of half of a cartwheel? Cannot say I've ever heard of anyone injuring themselves performing a round-off, but now that I've more or less made fun of you for injuring yourself while performing a round-off, it's promised that I will injure my self the next time I attempt a cartwheel or round-off. Karma doesn't forget. Also I love Highlights, reminds me of the days of yore, of times of less worries and bubble gum flavored medicine, which fixed any ailment.
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