Health

 I got a gyno appointment at the rural hospital at Korinth, 1 1/2 hours away, half way between the island and Athens. K had an op there a few years ago and was impressed by the doctors. 

I was impressed by the gynocologist, a woman thank goodness, but with a male assistant . Ho hum 

She actually sat down and explained what she'd found, in simple detail, and gave us a picture of what they can do and what they can't and why.

She says, the rural hospital and also most of the big hospitals in the cities, only do emergency ops  during the summer and everything is behind schedule anyway because of covid.  

I'm not a life and death situation so if I come back in October and see the head of the Gynaecologic department I can probably get a date for surgery, sometime in the future .

Now we just have to find out if we need to 'oil' the Head of Gynocology and how much. I'm sure he will expect an 'envelope' under the table.  

We learned the other day, while talking with a group of friends who had 'been there and done it' that if we had oiled the doctor at Nafplio I would have had my cataract operation by now. If we don't go back and give him 250 euros then forget it. He'll simply 'put us on the list'.   

Quite frankly, though I hate this system, I'd rather hand over 200 or so euros than have to traipse into Athens or Piraeus . 

First the gyno problem then I'll tackle the cataracts .

The going rate for most doctors seems to be 250, plus if you need an anaesthetic  another 100 to the anaesthesiologist.  Doable.

We went on one of the hottest days of summer but left very early in the morning to avoid most of the heat. The hospital was not on duty for emergency cases so it was a lot quieter than usual and cool. We had to have a rapid test before entering, 5 euros at the pharmacy opposite, and of course wear masks.

There were half a dozen other women/girls waiting with me. All pregnant Roma (gypsies to put it bluntly). They usually have most of the family with them but thankfully rapid tests must have kept them out. 

All these rural hospitals have a large Roma clientele. A lot of the menfolk with big cars and dripping in gold. The women still wear the old style of dress, long skirts and long hair tied up in a scarf. 

We came home without stopping at our usual souvlaki place. To hot to eat or think about leaving the air-conditioned car.

We stopped at a big supermarket half an hour from home so I could do some essential shopping and K could get an iced espresso.  The  number of cars parked at this place was amazing. The supermarket was full and at the coffee shop next door the woman who runs it was literally running.  These few busy August weeks help them to get through the winter 

Then it was a dash to get the car ferry. We got there with 2 minutes to spare so no waiting in the heat on the boiling deck. No bad tempers and impatient tooting of horns 

Home to a cold shower and an afternoon nap .

This morning we were down town before 7 am for a blood test.  All well there.

It was wonderful down there at that early hour. There was a crisp coolness, quiet and peace. I haven't been to the centre of town for two months. The noise and crush of people, plus the heat and lack of parking is unbearable.

Empty cafeterias

An empty waterfront.

Only one water taxi

So early the streets lights are still on, the rubbish waiting to be collected