Christmas in Korea

We had a great (but very different to normal) Christmas in Korea. Christmas eve we had dinner, some beers and a Secret Santa with a few of our friends. Then it was off to bed early, so we could be up bright and early for snowboarding Christmas day.

Brenton's present:
Snowboarding survival kit + a random toilet sign.

Ashley and James presents.

Desk warming survival kit: ramon, coffee and alcohol

Christmas Day we were up earlier than I ever was for Santa (3:45am) and on the bus to High1 resort at 4:30am. We reached the resort and were ready to hit the slopes by about 9:30 am. It was a beautiful clear day, but really cold (about -12). I think I did ok for my first attempt at snowboarding. I made it down the Jupitar run (about 900m) 3 times before lunch and once after lunch. Snowboarding is hard work! I fell over a lot and everything is sore now!

Korean medical system

Today I had my first visit to a Korean doctor. I have had a cold for almost 3 weeks now.  I don't really feel that sick. Although, in the last few days it has developed in to a bad cough, so today I finally followed the advice of all the Korean people I know and went to the hospital. It's not as dramatic as it sounds, in Korea you go to the hospital for anything. It's just liking going to the GP but they are at the hospital. I have heard a lot about the Korean medical system, like how cheap it is and that you always get a needle in the butt. So I was expecting to be sitting in a busy emergency room, see a doctor, get a needle in my butt and walk away wearing a little boot (judging by the amount of kids at school that are wearing booties I have developed the assumption that no matter what is wrong with you, you get one).

My experience wasn't quite like this. The hospital I went to was more like a large GP surgery, there were no emergencies getting wheeled in or blood anywhere. I went without an appointment and only had to wait 5 minutes. I saw the doctor for about 3 minutes he diagnosed me with a swollen throat and printed me a prescription. I didn't even get a needle in the butt or a bootie! This only cost me 3,400 KRW ($2.90). My prescription cost 4,700 KRW ($4).

They don't hold back with the drugs over here. For my swollen throat I have cough medicine I need to take 4X per day and tablets 3X per day. Not only that, but each time I take my tablets, I take between 3 and 5 different ones! I don't know what they all are but I hope they get me healthy before my Christmas snow boarding trip. The doctor also recommended that I wear a mask (uh.... not happening) and I don't go out in the cold (a little hard when its only 4 degrees during the day and I don't have a car!)

3 days worth of medication

My cough syrup and a
free ("service") vitamin drink