maybe it's catching up with me... i (caryn)...(I was there too...just in case anyone was wondering where that crazy husband was the whole day...) spent most of the morning yesterday in the hospital (NOTHING SERIOUS! you go the hospital here for minor stuff), which was an experience in itself: it was national "children's day" last weekend. the hospital lobby (& the rest of the city) was swarming with waist-high Thais playing games and spilling drinks & food, entertained by clowns & singers and being entertainment themselves -- i could have shot myself when i realized i brought my camera, but left the memory stick at home... especially when i saw a half-dozen thai girls (5-10 years old) in full traditional dress & makeup performing the national dances (have you seen "anna & the king" or "the king & i"? the (thai, not ballroom) dancing is exactly the same!)
anyway, after visiting the allergist to get a video probe threaded into my sinuses (so he can tell me to avoid dust & pollution - where does HE live?), i decided to visit an orthopedist for a nagging pain/tightness i've had in my leg/back for the past 6 years... i'm thinking, "maybe they'll incorporate more eastern/holistic medicine here." after a very short exam (3 minutes, max), he gave me 3 names for my problem & 4 drugs (including codeine) to cure it.... the doctor seemed knowledgeable & spoke pretty good english, but couldn't really answer my questions... i started to cry... this made communication even more difficult: not only can i not talk, but i am trying sort out in my head whether it's culturally appropriate to cry in public, much less in front of a doctor (very respected in thai culture). then i went to the pharmacy to pick up my "may cause drowsiness" drugs... the pharmacist did not understand me, nor i her... i started to cry again & wanted nothing more than to leave & crawl in bed the rest of the day. i am quite sure they were both quite knowledgeable & were giving me good care -- it's not their fault i don't speak thai!! i guess little things like this just start to build up... they told us in cross-cultural training to expect it, but when it happens...
3 comments:
caryn, you are a brave soul, it was always scary to feel sick and go to the hospital or doc when I was overseas! Sorry friend. Maybe a Thai friend could go with you next time?! love reading your blog! Heather
thanks, heather! i appreciate your empathy :).
I was reading your blog all the while thinking of sitting at our little tables during AIT. I guess even though we are prepared for facing cultural shock, that doesn't mean it will be easy! Remind me of this when I eventually face the same in Germany!! I'll pray for your leg/back issues and future visits to the doctor.
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