Long Boring Blog About Nothing:)
OK, so maybe I was desperate for some pictures to put on my blog this time....:)
A week ago I started with a sore throat and fever. I've cancelled a few things this week hoping the extra rest would speed my recovery, but today I finally gave in and went to see a doctor at Samitivej Hospital, your one-stop medical shopping mall.:) I think I've mentioned this place on previous blogs.
This hopsital feels really...plush?? classy?? Not sure what word fits. Below are a few pictures of Samitivej.
Hospital exterior
Starbucks on ground level as well as other shops--restaurant, 7-11, bookstore, flower shop, health food shop, bank, etc. (ATM's are all over the place in the hospital.)
Main lobby
Comfortable seating in waiting areas; most areas provide self serve sealed plastic water containers.
Cashiers at the service counter/pharmacy; I worked hard to get this picture--when I asked permission, the gal looked confused, uncertain, then went back into the pharmacy area to ask someone else. When she returned, she asked the guy to join her on the picture. She didn't want to be in it alone.:) Note how dressed up they are. (Actually they were wearing the colors Tim and Sue used in their wedding--green and grey).
The pharmacist asked permission from the back also, but she didn't seem to have as much hesitation about it. Note the cute little "gift" bag containing my meds.
By the way, the doctor diagnosed my problem as an infection and prescribed 3 medications: an anitbiotic, a plhegm-loosener, and a cough suppressant. I should be good as new in no time! I better be, anyway; I felt like I left a chunk of money there. Maybe still not as expensive as the USA, but still not exactly cheap. 2535 baht for the medical exam plus the meds. At 30 baht/dollar.....I'll let you do the math.
Here's how they dispense meds. Mostly in cute little ziplock bags.
I'm planning on these meds working quickly; I'm not cancelling my two English classes tomorrow!
I walked back out the street to the BTS sky train station and decided it was time to take pictures of yet one other type of transportation available some places. They're funny little vehicles that you have to bend down to get in, and the floor almost comes up to your feet; at least that's what it feels like. I've only used them a couple times. I prefer motorcycle taxis or walking to using them.
I took the sky train back to the On Nut station, where I often wait for a bus. Notice the uniforms. Bangkok has lots of uniforms, both for work and school, including university. I think high school is navy blue and university is black and white. And I don't know what the lady with hat represents.
College students often stand at the bottom of the BTS steps singing and taking donations for various causes.
One more view of folks descending the sky train steps.
When I got off the bus onTheparak Road, many street vendors were already set up for the evening. You have anything from fruit to fried fish patties to fried insects/worms to snacks to regular meal items to clothing. I am probably missing something in that list.:)
My friend who makes kanom crok, little sweet treats made out of coconut milk, had his wife with him this evening. I had never met her before, so it was fun to meet her, and I got an invite to go with her for a few days when she returns to her home province. (In Bangkok almost everyone comes from another province, so it seems. When I ask people where they live, most of the time they tell me the name of some unknown (to me) province, when all I was really asking is where in Bangkok do they live.:)
As I meandered along the street looking for something else for supper, someone from behind grabbed me, and yes, I jumped!:) It was Bpaa Dang, my elderly neighbor whose husband is doing poorly. She laughed and grabbed my hand to walk with her. Lo and behold she decided to buy supper for me, then sent me home to eat it and rest.:)
So, since it was still light on my street, I decided to take a picture of my motorcycle taxi friends. Only thing was, it turned out none of them were the guys I know, and they looked at me cross-eyed when I asked permission for this picture. But finally one of them said OK. So I went on my merry way.:)
So, once back in my room, I ate my supper of soup and rice. This particular soup is not at all spicy, so it was perfect for my poor throat. Geng jute, or something like that, it is called. It contains pork, cabbage, carrots, some sort of fish balls, and mushrooms. I've also had it in the past when gelled tofu is added. It is quite a tasty soup with flavorful broth.
My dessert, of course, was my freshly cooked kanom crok. Yummmmmm! It's one of my favorite snacks.
And that is the end of my long boring blog about nothing!
Comments
Are you feeling better? I'm curious, how far apart is that Starbucks laiden hospital, and the fried worm snack shop at the market? Seems to be quite a harsh reminder of the divide between the haves and the have-nots.
Posted by: Rich Peachey | January 26, 2008 11:16 PM
it is good to know that you are well taken care of when you are sick...both with a posh hospital and good friends to give you warm soup! :)
Posted by: angela | January 25, 2008 09:15 PM