So here’s a comprehensive review of Ladife with all the details you need before deciding on a visit: Yea, it’s pretty good.
So the first thing I did today was get my bandaged replaced:
So the doc says it looks good and tomorrow should wrap up the entire treatment. Still feels I’ve been ripped off but eh, it gave me a reason to head somewhere in the day time after putting the Littlest Dictator to sleep… at goddamn 2am. Holy crap can she go!
Over here, pedestrians tend to give way to cars. NOT ME
Once we reached home, I had a ton of crap to do. But ahh dammit. It’s not often we experience what I call ‘Ideal Baby Weather’.
Because I was alone and a genius, I didn’t take pictures of the playground we visited. So um, here’s another playground we went to the other day:
Meh, close enough
So she has this thing where if she’s interested in someone or something, she just stares. What can I say? Babies are not known for their social graces.
Seeing how she looks more like her Korean mom, whereas I look like an escaped convict from a maximum security facility in Pakistan, it made it look like I was trying to cheer up a reluctant kid I’d just kidnapped.
I swear, if she’d just shouted ‘No! Want mama!!’ it would not have ended well for me.
Overall though, it was a pretty good day. Here’s a picture I took of some flowers:
A little something different this time. There was once when even the idea of travel (except to neighbouring Malaysia) didn’t enter my mind. It was impossible
This article really hits home for me. By all means travel the world and extol its virtues. Just don’t be a dick about it.
It was 25 degrees Celsius inside, but I was so out of it, I actually thought the curtains were of a special material that kept the heat in or something. And then I looked at the thermostat 😂.
So far on this trip, I’ve injured my hand…
On the plus side, it makes me feel a little bit like Ryu
… developed a slight fever and now have an annoying cough.
At first it got me a little down. Sure I’ll be here until mid-February, but I had so many plans which I’ll now have to change.
But man, there are worse ways to spend three months, you know? I mean, I’m in a goddamn luxury apartment by the sea:
Oh yes, poor pitiful me
And I’m warm and I’ve got access to a car here. Sometimes you just need to smack yourself in the face and realise just how fortunate you really are.
Sure the plans will change, but it’ll still be pretty damn awesome.
Also, I’d have to be a real ass to complain about being able to enjoy this view every day:
In one of my previous posts I included a drawing of an adorable kitty wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. It’s now on shirts and sweaters and other stuff in case you’re into this sort of thing.
In the next couple of days, I hope to walk the length of this old railway track near Haeundae Beach. Been putting it off since last year. The time is now!
So I was still sick and my mother-in-law suggested heading to a clinic ahead.
So yea, privacy apparently is not such a big deal here
This is highly recommended instead of the hospital. It is significantly cheaper. A consultation without insurance sets to back only about 10K won.
Koreans have a thing for injections which is both amusing and a little disturbing.
Also, the nurse insisted on injecting in my ass for some reason.
After that, we got a prescription for more meds and headed over to the pharmacy. I still wasn’t feeling well after two days so we returned, and the doctor legit asked me how many days of medication I wanted. Again, slightly amusing and disturbing at the same time.
In the end I did get better though so yea… always head over to a clinic first if you can.
Updated on 15th Dec 16: Added a bit more advice under ‘Recommendations’ at the bottom. Also, if you like the cat drawing, you can get it on a shirt or sweater here.
So about a week ago, I scalded my hand pretty badly. In this post I’ll give a quick recap, and at the bottom, recommendations on what you should do if you’re stuck in a similar situation and can’t speak Korean.
My wife’s truly an artistNormally it wouldn’t be a big deal. Back in Singapore, you’d head to a clinic to have it looked at, and if needed they’d refer you to a hospital.
For that first visit, you’re looking at paying around $50-$100, and that’s on the upper end of the scale. It’d probably have set me back by $15-$25.
But when you’re in Korea and especially if you don’t know the language, it can be a major pain in the rectum. Right smack in the rectum.
For example, let me introduce you to this crappy HOLYCRAP 240k won bandage (and some antibiotics) courtesy of a visit to the ER…
Nicer-looking. Still not helpful.And they ended up recommending that I visit one of two other ‘burn specialist’ hospitals that were each more than an hour away by car:
They look colourful though, so there’s thatFortunately we heard about a nearby skin clinic and gave it a shot.
Welcome! Also, prepare to empty your wallet!The place itself was OK, though I found it weird how this was the proper place to go to for medical care for burns, instead of a hospital.
They fixed me up pretty nicely, and the doctor was critical of the hospital bandage that I got.
At this point my hand was starting to feel like a teenage girl at H&MThis time the doctor actually inspected it closely and they applied an ointment-soaked piece of gauze before wrapping it up. It only cost 27k won!
Not too bad… until they said I had to keep getting it replaced daily until it got better.
The Korean healthcare system if you’re uninsuredRecommendations:
So yea, not having travel insurance can be a very expensive mistake. So always get travel insurance.
If you’re not sure about the type of clinic to go to, or need a free translation service, call 1330. It’s a super-convenient service provided by the tourism authorities here in Busan. It’s also great for basically any tourism-related questions you may have. Check out this site for more details: http://www.bto.or.kr/eng/06_visitor/a01_a.php
Unless you need immediate treatment, head first to the Information Counter to find someone who speaks English, and make sure that they can provide the treatment that you need. Confirm this before agreeing to see a doctor, or you might get charged an arm and a leg only for the doctor to tell you (like in my case) ‘Yea, you should go to one of these two other hospitals instead.’
There’s plenty of resources for tourists in Busan, so while medical care might be a tad pricey if you’re not covered, if you know exactly where to go (and don’t have an over-anxious mother-in-law!) you won’t end up paying too much.
So I finally relented and went to the hospital to have someone look at my messed-up hand. After being directed to the Emergency Room…
Here’s what my hand looked like with a homemade bandage:
Here’s what it looked like after a HOLYCRAP 240k won quick bandage and a few antibiotics:
This one one of those rare moments we didn’t pay with my credit card (Citibank PremierMiles) which comes with travel insurance. And like a genius, I’d completely forgotten to get us covered for a three-month stay in Busan.
The doctor barely had a look at my injury, and when I asked if it were infected… he replied with – and I kid you not – a goddamn “Probably”.
He gave me two locations I had to pick from to visit a burns specialist (apparently) hospital for a special dressing. No idea what that even means. But I’ll go. I’m already feeling a little feverish. That can’t be a good sign.
Oh yea and these hospitals are like, an hour away by car. GODDAMMIT.
Just outside the hospital were a few pharmacies, each with its own promoter standing near the entrance. Coming from Singapore, this was surreal.
All in all, a very expensive lesson. I’m getting travel insurance later tonight from a company that offers it for those who are already on their trip.
One Weird Dude's Busan Blog 