As an expat, there are a number of milestones which can mark your initiation into your host culture. Whether it's successfully navigating a new public transportation system, bargaining down the price of a purchase to what a local would pay, or cooking a meal that requires extensive calculations: Fahrenheit into Celsius and cups into liters, overcoming a daunting task can give the expat a sense of ownership in their new home.
My initiation came this morning, when I had to go to the hospital.
Americans consider a hospital their last resort, but for Indians, it's almost a national pastime, and they will go for the most minor malady. Exhibiting typical American reluctance to tread those sterile hallways, (or worse, what if they weren't sterile!) I made my maiden voyage to Columbia Asia (CA) hospital early this morning, just to make sure a pesky week long cold wasn't something more...
CA was the very model of a modern majorly general (hospital). After my car pulled into the perfectly landscaped parking lot I was greeted by a crew of administrators all dressed like they worked on a cruise ship: matching floral blouses for the women that coordinated with the ties men tucked into their buttoned navy suits. "Welcome to Columbia Asia." "How would you like to pay." "Sign here." Then after 20 minutes in the waiting room, wondering why one man was allowed to wander around clad only in boxers (This is the first time I've been scandalized by an Indian's standard of modesty) I was ushered into the "emergency" room. Within the hour I was on my way home.
Consultation: Rs. 150
Prescriptions: Rs. 581
Car with driver: Rs. 400
Diagnosing my case of Swine flu in time: PRICELESS
For the next 48 hours I am being quarantined in my apartment for possibly having H1N1. So my second official act as a gov relations specialist is filing my case of Swine Flu with the government. Ironically, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 pandemic officially over TODAY--as reported by WSJ: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/08/10/h1n1-pandemic-officially-over-says-who-cites-lessons-learned/ Apparently I'm a late bloomer...
CA was such a good experience it may not count as an initiation after all, though contracting Swine flu while in a developing nation certainly will. While in solitary confinement I'm aspiring to catch up on some long overdue updates. Postings will also provide my mother with periodic assurance that I'm still alive.
My initiation came this morning, when I had to go to the hospital.
Americans consider a hospital their last resort, but for Indians, it's almost a national pastime, and they will go for the most minor malady. Exhibiting typical American reluctance to tread those sterile hallways, (or worse, what if they weren't sterile!) I made my maiden voyage to Columbia Asia (CA) hospital early this morning, just to make sure a pesky week long cold wasn't something more...
CA was the very model of a modern majorly general (hospital). After my car pulled into the perfectly landscaped parking lot I was greeted by a crew of administrators all dressed like they worked on a cruise ship: matching floral blouses for the women that coordinated with the ties men tucked into their buttoned navy suits. "Welcome to Columbia Asia." "How would you like to pay." "Sign here." Then after 20 minutes in the waiting room, wondering why one man was allowed to wander around clad only in boxers (This is the first time I've been scandalized by an Indian's standard of modesty) I was ushered into the "emergency" room. Within the hour I was on my way home.
Consultation: Rs. 150
Prescriptions: Rs. 581
Car with driver: Rs. 400
Diagnosing my case of Swine flu in time: PRICELESS
For the next 48 hours I am being quarantined in my apartment for possibly having H1N1. So my second official act as a gov relations specialist is filing my case of Swine Flu with the government. Ironically, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 pandemic officially over TODAY--as reported by WSJ: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/08/10/h1n1-pandemic-officially-over-says-who-cites-lessons-learned/ Apparently I'm a late bloomer...
CA was such a good experience it may not count as an initiation after all, though contracting Swine flu while in a developing nation certainly will. While in solitary confinement I'm aspiring to catch up on some long overdue updates. Postings will also provide my mother with periodic assurance that I'm still alive.
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