However, before I start ranting on and on about my feelings, update:
First, of course, when I say anything about how nice the weather finally is, it turns to "scheiße" (I'm still in Germany, so cussing is still part of the norm- a new habit that must be broken in two weeks.) It rained so much that our Klettergarten (the ropes course) trip, that we were supposed to do on Thursday, had to get rescheduled for next Wednesday.
On Friday, I was able to be a live participant in the Universal Health Care debate. I showed up at TK Maxx, thinking I was just going to work through a cold, but they practically shoved me out the door to go to the doctor's office. With help from my school, I made it to the doctor, eagerly awaiting what was in store... after all, this is currently a huge debate in America, so I wanted to see what the effects of Universal Health Care were in a real-life-setting. The office was nice and kept up well, there weren't patients flooding the hall ways waiting to see a doctor. However, I still had to wait for an hour and a half; there were only a few patients there.
Once I sat and talked to the doctor giving him my full list of symptoms: headache, throat ache, shivers, sweats, etc., he shined the flashlight down my throat, decided there was no bacteria, and proclaimed that I had a viral infection, maybe the flu? No medicine, obviously, because there is nothing you can do for a viral infection. This diagnoses was preformed without any knowledge of any of my medical history (no forms, besides my name and billing address were filled out), or any of the routine tests you might do in America before you see the doctor. As I sat and listened to him tell me to eat fruits and drink lots of fluids, I couldn't help but think, "why did I have to come here?" Then, he tells me I should take it easy for the next 7 days, get plenty of rest, not walk too much.... It all makes sense now.
No wonder why making the schedule at TK Maxx is so difficult, people go to the doctor all willy nilly and get days off that they really don't need. This internship has taught me a lot about the strict labor laws in Germany, and I mean strict! Every time I help with the schedule, I am just astounded by the amount of illnesses going around, but now I get it. Why would someone work, when their work and their health insurance are required to cover the costs of a full days work anytime they are "sick," a doctor is readily available (for free .. to some extent), and getting an excuse from a doctor is so easy? I must say, on the employee end of the situation, it is very nice, very convenient.
Although, not a huge supporter for Universal Health Care, I was hoping that I would see more benefits through this live experiment and hear more applause for the health care system while in Germany. Unfortunately, from my personal experience, I have heard more discourse than not through coworkers and friends. I could go on and on about this experience, but that is enough for now.
As my father says, I "have remarkable recovery time," so by Sunday evening I was ready to go to the Bonner Bierbörse, the Bonn Beerfest. It was a great time, but it generally is when there are beer stands as far as the eye can see. (the weather wasn't very festive, but I had an umbrella)
Other note worthy things I have done in the last week:
- While I was sick, I watched the entire series of Game of Thrones. It was 30 hours... needless to say I could not get out of bed. (I recommend http://www.free-tv-video-online.me/internet/episodes/ to anyone studying abroad... you will miss American television.)
- Set up a LinkedIn account: www.linkedin.com/pub/isabel-rooney/71/454/908/ I am still in the process of figuring it out.. Help anyone?
- Read the Hunger Games, a little late on the bandwagon I know...
'Til next time
Tschüss!
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