Take Two of These

I was sick a few weeks ago.

Being a teacher, it's par for the course. However, I thought that since I did time in the DC charter school system, I'd be pretty much immune to AIDS at this point.

No such luck.

Well I didn't catch the AIDS, I got strep. There's nothing like facing the prospect of going to a foreign doctor to make you feel a little closer to God.

I realize that Japan has decent physicians. I mean, people get sick here too, right? But just for a moment, imagine going to the doctors and not being able to communicate precisely what's wrong with you. Horrifying, no?

Well, luckily for me I used a little thing called the Internet to find me an English speaking doctor. I decided against going to a doctor's office in my Prefecture. They're perfectly legit here, but when I visited their websites or called I was met with Janglish, "Yes. Doctor speak ego. I no speak. How about Sunday?" This didn't instill me with confidence. So, I hopped the train into Tokyo. I was vulnerable and I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible.

And I was.

I went to the SWANKIEST clinic EVER. The Tokyo Midtown Clinic. I've never been to a doctors office and felt under-dressed. The waiting room was pristine, and glamorous. High-back leather couches, fresh flowers, flat screen TVs, ENGLISH magazines and a greeter. Yes a greeter!

"Welcome to the Tokyo Midtown Clinic. How can I help you today?"

With those words (spoken perfect English) all my troubles seemed to melt away. I met with my new doctor, Dr. Kuruso. An American who graduated from Yale and Harvard, who was kind, caring and helpful.

I walked out of the doctors office with a prescription for antibiotics and went next door to the clinic's English speaking pharmacy to pick it up. Now if this weren't glorious enough. The whole ordeal cost me 10 bucks.

Ladies and gentleman: National Health Care.

[Applause Break]

Yes. My visa gives me access to the national health care system here which means the Tokyoites who live close to this swanky office and the soccer moms who live near my local clinic pay the same. Now there are drawbacks: unsubsidised yearly women's exams and jaw-dropping prices for elective procedures. But I have to tell you, so far I'm impressed. Impressed and strep free.