Never in the US...

The untold story of the Venus de Milo's plumbers crack...

So Germany has 1 thing that's better than the US other than all the cool old architecture and castles. I'm sick... again... I know.... Anyway. I went to the home base today to get my lunch money and expense reports. Since my HR guy is on vacation... again... I know... the people in HR made comments that since he took care of everything they are not familiar with how he helped and therefore thought it would be best for me to wait until Monday for my expense report. Basically he fills out the standard expense report in Deutsch for me, but that's too difficult for someone who feels it's not their responsibility as an HR representative to help out an employee.

After that I said, fine, I need to go to the doctor. The HR lady said, yes you do look pale. Weak, sniffly, feverish, and coughing would finish out my symptoms. Although this is far worst than a few weeks ago. Once again, oh we don't really know how to handle that since the other guy did it before. They ask their boss who was making some copies what to do. He said I don't know. I chimed in with, 'fine I'll take care of it myself,' in a non patient, pissed off tone. At which point some action finally took place as another girl got up and went to the vacationers office to check his records. Of course in the file was all the past expense reports etc... but they did find the document that says they'll cover everything and made me a new copy. They didn't know which doctors office was preferred of course, but luckily I remembered how to get there.

I walk in unannounced to a family practice type setting. The girls behind the counter remembered me actually. I asked if I could see the doctor/make an appointment for today and they said wait one moment, please have a seat. Within 10 minutes the doctor came to me and gave me a checkup. He thinks it might be viral, but possibly bacterial so I got some antibiotics. I gave them a copy of my form for payment and was out the door in under 30 minutes. I have never been in and out of a doctors in that short of time, especially unannounced. It wasn't that they were slow today, as there were quite a few people in the office, but they are very efficient. Usually when I go see my family doctor with an appointment I wait at least 30 minutes in the waiting room to get into the inspection room and at least another 15 to be looked at by the nurse. Then another 10-15 for the doctor to come in.

+1 to Deutschland. Now they're only 38 points behind...

A funny anecdote is that when I talked to Kai about climbing/dinner tonight she asked if I was sick. After affirmation of the fact, she followed up with, 'I don't think we should get together tonight because I haven't gotten my shots yet.' Heheh... It's good though because I can get some laundry done and get to bed early. Sleeping through the night is a completely different story though... wish me luck!