On spring in Korea: Visiting the ENT

I know very few people who struggle with allergies and sinuses the way that I do. Even as a kid ear infections were a common occurrence, and asthma plagued my every activity. It's no surprise then that I would suffer from allergies in Korea. In addition to regular spring blossoms, Korea is also a host country for yellow dust from China. Dust is a catch-all term for pollutants such as dirt, trash, and even sand particles. Recently these factors cause me to visit my good friend, the ear, nose and throat doctor.

there he is! 

I entered the clinic at around 5 pm, I had left right after school to make sure I could still attend my taekwondo class. I walked into the lobby and it was a ghost town. I didn't even see a secretary! 

uh...hello?

so sparkly clean

                                                             

free coffee, tea, and rice candy

After making myself comfortable, the secretary came from the back and signed me up to see the doctor. Approximately ten seconds later I was ushered in to see the good doctor.

The best part about this ENT has to be his equipment. He has all these scary looking tools to poke and prod at your sinuses. In addition, there's this cool gadget that he sticks up your nose and takes photos with! Gross! 

When he finished his examination he explained to me in broken English (and aided with my broken Korean) that I did not have sinusitis. He wrote me a prescription for some mucus-aid and sent me down to the pharmacy.

I paid for the examination ($4) and then made my way downstairs to the pharmacy. With a nose spray, saline solution, several days worth of mucus-aid and Zyrtec for a month, the grand total ended up being $7. That's right, $7. In total (for those bad at math) I took a bus to the doctor for 90 cents, got examined for $4, and loaded up on drugs for $7.

D.A.R.E would be upset

Sometimes the health care in Korea can't be beat.

Much love,

xoxo Imani