Prescription Refills in Korea

Ajou International Health Care clinic, Suwon

Moving to Korea isn't like spending a summer in Switzerland. Chances are your skin and hair won't flourish in the new atmosphere.

At first sight of a cloud, Koreans hold up an umbrella to protect themselves from acid rain. Many wear face masks to avoid the polluted air, and worse: yellow dust.

My skin has broken out because of the daily kimchi and bad air quality. You can't drink tap water in Korea, so it probably isn't doing my skin much good either.

I was in for a shock today. I went back the the pharmacy to retrieve my second of 3 tubes, and was told that there are NO refills in Korea- for any prescription. When I purchased only one, the other two were cancelled via phone with the dermatologist's permission- but unbeknownst to me!

To see the doctor at Ajou it costs 15,000W, but it's the futility of returning to retrieve prescriptions already prescribed. This is a warning to all of you re-fillers out there!

Also, aesthetic meds. aren't covered by insurance, in Korea. The topical medication was reasonably priced, though, at about 20 USD a tube.

When I see a doctor next week, at least I'll have an excuse to get a short Coffee of the Day, at the in-hospital Starbucks pictured above. It's the cheapest drink, running at about 2.50USD.

Korean Ginseng

A student gave me this Renesse ginseng candy today. Ginseng is a common herb grown on the shaded mountainsides of Korea. The root: the only part of the plant used, is initially sweetish, with a bitter aftertaste.

Ginseng is a common ingredient in Korea, seen in the famous wine: Bekseju, which literally translates to 100 year old wine. The wine isn't 100 years old; the title suggests the health benefits of ginseng, and the wine's 11 other health-promoting herbs.

Ginseng is known to be a stress fighter, but has also shown great promise at fighting off colds and other viruses, reducing fatigue and increasing memory... Candy, anyone?

Suwon: International Heath Care Centre

If you're living in Suwon and need an English speaking doctor, Ajou University has a clinic for foreigners. Get contact information here.

The International clinic is located behind Starbucks on the 1st floor of the hospital. I was well taken care of, though I shelled out 30,000W to see a doctor. That's with medical insurance. I've been told it may be cheaper to see a doctor at a smaller hospital.

A volunteer aiding foreigners escorted me around. It was strange to see so many Caucasians, most of them American soldiers. There was one horrid white guy in a nightgown, dragging an I.V. as he whined about the hospital keeping him, "for months and months!" I wished I was Korean!

There's something Universal about the sterilized hallways of a hospital, families huddled around coffees. It actually sort of felt like home.

Ow! Ow! Ow!

My throat is getting bad. I can barely swollow.

I was warned by my friend, Camille, that Korean schools don't recognize a teacher's illness unless you're admitted to a hospital. I get the feeling it's because Asia's strains of viruses generally ARE that much worse: remember the bird flu!!? I stopped into a few pharmacies before I found an English speaker. She handed me a box of anti-inflammatories and told me to take 6 a day. They only cost $3.00 so I doubt they're strong enough to do the job.

The principal of the school assured me it was unnecessary, but when I spoke to Josh today he was convinced I should have had shots. Entering the Korean airport, I saw an immunization booth with a man prepared to shoot the living daylights out of travelers. When I asked Jay if I should inquire, he said the shots were for "people from poor countries like Africa," whatever that meant.

In other news, I'm ready to teach tomorrow! Now all I have to do is put on a big smile and act my way out of this strept throat.

Ach-ooo!

I was bound to get a cold, moving to the other side of the world. Luckily it doesn't feel like I'm getting the Korean flu which apparently knocks you out for a good two weeks. Most people who come down with it are hospitalized for a few days.

My throat is swollen, red and craving Vitamin C! When I went for lunch today, I brought with me the word "vegetables" translated to Hangul by a friend of mine. The waitress nodded as if she understood. I stressed, "only, only vegetables," pointing to the note, but she brought me a surprising platter of food (for a family of 20)... all at 4,000 WON, or $4.60 CA.

I got a big bowl of sticky (sticcccccckkkyyy) rice, spicy hot Kimchi soup with veggies and tofu inside, along with side plates of seaweed, clam, crab, some kind of papaya fruit, watery vegetables and egg. Koreans eat the strangest combinations, sometimes! Really though, I could FEEL my cold being cured as I slurped down the spicy soup.

Do I like the food? Not yet. It has a distinct taste... maybe eventually.