Given Logan's contract here ends this spring, we've decided to pack in as much travel while we're already this far. Thus, plan to spend New Years in Asia - as such, have a few extra vaccinations recommended.
At home, this would be simple - make an appointment at the travel clinic, get a doctor consultation & shots knocked out at once
Here, it's not quite that easy....
First up - find a clinic that stocks these vaccinations. After several phone calls & email to various clinics, EuroLab confirmed they could get 1 of the 4 I'm after (typhoid) & agreed to order it for me. Just needed to wait a few days to allow it to be shipped in.
Rolled up Friday morning and all pretty typical - but slightly different….
Generic exterior
Clearly Eastern interior
As soon as I meet with the doctor, it became clear this wasn't going to be simple….
"We don't have those vaccines. Hmmm - it says here you were coming in for a flu shot"
As if that didn't erode my confidence enough, she then asked if Cambodia was in Africa? Yikes - I thought only Americans were geography challenged!
Then proceeds to spend 15 minutes looking for the phone # of their partner clinch which might have some of the vaccines
(Despite Ukraine being the home of highly skilled computer hackers & on-line scammers, Ukrainian web-sites are notoriously 1990 - hard to navigate & lack basic info)
SO - I decided to look for the silver lining…..
1) Got the flu shot - after the doctor assured me the vaccine was improved from Belgium - "NOT from Ukraine or Russia" she assured. Even showed me the box to prove it
2) Enjoyed the waiting room amenities
So, ~1/2 day in & no further along vaccinating against random 3rd world diseases, BUT living here, you have to focus on the wins - a Belgium flu shot + free Kleenex & coffee
Here's to expecting the unexpected & chalking up the positives
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