Ok,
So I haven't had a chance to sit and write about my experiences this week since our visit to church this Sunday. We are still studying like crazy and spend most of our time in our rooms or together in study group sessions, always working on new material, shengci (new words), hai you zhongwen yufa (and Chinese grammar).
But, one of the most excited things this week was that many of us FINALLY purchased bikes! We got brand new bikes, a lock and bike basket for 190 yuan (which is about $27) Because they are brand new, we will be able to sell them back for at least 100 yuan at the end of the summer, so not a bad mode of transportation. We were so excited. The back of the bikes have a small wire platform that many Chinese people use to carry an additional passenger, so our friends Megan and Cathy that don't have bikes yet, rode on the back of our bikes as we learned to navigate the insane atmosphere of bikes on campus and in the city. AND MY BUTT HURTS!!!! I have forgotten what it is like to ride a bike for long periods of time and my butt is definately reminding me! Also, because I am often riding with someone on the back of it, I am getting a great workout as I pedal for both of us.... I love it! ;)
When I first got my bike yesterday, I was trying to have Megan ride on the back of it to C Lou (which is a store on campus) and we got so far until I got the road baracades in the street. I totally got too close to one, knocking Megan clear off the bike. She is ok, and it was hilarious, but I felt so bad, so we need to learn to be more careful. The bikes here don't have the same control as they do in the states and are more sensitive to every movement. plus they are basically crap (but you get what you pay for... have you EVER heard of anyone getting a new bike in the states for 27 bucks???)
So, later last night, we decided (because we only had one hour of language class and two hours of culture - which never happens) that we were going to the Old Summer Palace which is right next to our dorms to a cafe/bar they have. My friend Megan H. and I have been before with some of our new German friends and the main attraction is the toilet. We were determined to show this amazing site to everyone we knew, so we set out on our bikes (towing ppl of course) to the Old Summer Palace - Mima Cafe. AFter some near wipe outs, we arrive and show everyone what we have been talking about. The toilet room is located about 2 feet off the ground and the floor of it is all glass. The walls are faux- wood and the toilet is a modern square looking thing also made of faux-wood. The sink is just a bamboo looking placemat with bamboo shoots coming up that supply the water. AND the ceiling of the loo is an aquarium... as you use the toilet, you can look up and see little fish swimming all around above it! It is the coolest thing ever and I can only imagine the trip that ppl must get if they walk in there after drinking... they would probably freak! But it's a great site!!! We enjoyed our time with a good 10+ people from our group as well as the German and Swede that took us there originally also came (Damian and Martin). Some of the girls and guys (including Cathy and Megan C.) decided to go back early, so they used my bike bc they didn't have one. Right outside our sushe (dorm) Cathy, who was on the back of the bike blacked out and fell face-first into the pavement. She is pretty badly scraped up and I spent some time with her last night cleaning her up (yes mom, I cleaned up all the blood on her face... proud eh?)
I emailed Dad and he said we needed to get her checked out. So this morning, Cathy, our friend Craig and myself set out to a hospital. Hellen, one of our program helpers, met us there. We went to the China Japan Friendship Hospital. It was an unique experience and I'm actually glad to blow off class to see it! (no judgment)
I have never seen a doctor is such a short amount of time EVER as we did at this hospital. We walked to the front entrance for outpatient and Cathy filled out a form with literally her name, her birthday, her telephone number and her nationality. THAT WAS IT. Then we saw two doctors, who were able to communicate in English. We had a hard time at first trying to convey that she had passed out (I think they thought we were just there for her scraps and bruises, which was not the point). We were really there to check that nothing else was wrong since she blacked out BEFORE she fell and not vis versa. AFter getting that conveyed, the doctors talked with Cathy for a few minutes and basically said there was nothing they could do, they didn't tell us anything that dad hadn't already concluded via email. So, we left. We didn't show any insurance, pay anything or provide any medical background. The place was clean and all the nurses were decked out in white dresses and hats (like very 50s medical in the states) but the doctors and several nurses had on flip flops or open-toed shoes.. WEIRD HUH?
The hospital is also at parts under construction. Our section was obviously a new wing and recently finished and it seemed the rest was being redone for the Olympics... more construction. But it was interesting to see how they did things. They have a 15 mins consultation, asked some basic questions and sent us on our way. Another friend of ours was at the hospital only a few hours before and was diagnosed with pink eye. so... we will stay away from him, but at least I know the doctors do DO something if they think it's necessary. Anyway, the cab ride was longer than our visit at the hospital. how unusual!
Anyway, this is a blog, not really for your benefit, since I don't think you will care, but more for me, so I can remember all these thoughts and experiences later. Hope you were at least entertained or learned something new about the health system in China. Love to all! Oh, and the photo on the right is of Cathy (the girl that fell) XOXO
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