La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
My visit to the private medical centre in Málaga was a complete waste of time, but my trip to the coast was not. I checked in at Urgent Care. The receptionist completely understood why I was there. The waiting room was full, but I was called to Triage within a few minutes. The triage nurse completely understood. I was sent back to the waiting room. A few minutes later again, I was called to another room. That nurse also completely understood. She phoned Nephrology. My doctor was not in this week. She spoke directly with the head of nephrology. She didn’t tell him I had come in from Córdoba, nor my name. He knows me. She thanked him, hung up, and told me she could get an appointment for me Thursday or Friday. I said, I wasn’t coming back Thursday or Friday. “Could she phone again and explain my situation?” No she could not. She wrote a note that I could take to the main check-in at the medical centre to see if they could get me an appointment that day. I wondered aloud how they might accomplish that when there in Urgent Care she was not able to. She said she felt badly, but that was all she could do.
I walked over to main check-in to a mob scene. I have never seen that many people filling the lobby. I took a number to request an appointment. My number was 99. The last number on the display screen was 40. I muttered, stood there amid the mob for a moment, and walked out to the cab stand.
I texted Lulu in Fuengirola and met her and Rita at a cafe on the Paseo. We three then went for a delicious tapas lunch. They made my trip from Córdoba worthwhile. After our quick lunch, I texted Tynan to see if he and Elena were back from their weekend escape to Bilbao. They were not. I then texted Nick and Alyson to see if they had arrived for their holiday. They had. They hadn’t even unpacked yet. I met them at their hotel and we enjoyed each other’s company for a couple of hours until I had to catch the train back to Málaga for my 49-minute trip home from there.
So, although I was completely frustrated in my attempt to see my nephrologist, the trip was absolutely not a bust. It was strange, however, to be back in Fuengirola. It’s only been a few weeks, but it felt like ancient history. Córdoba is already becoming home. So back to pictures from my first big walk.
Mi visita al centro médico privado en Málaga fue una completa pérdida de tiempo, pero mi viaje a la costa no lo fue. Me registré en Urgencias. La recepcionista entendió perfectamente por qué estaba allí. La sala de espera estaba llena, pero me llamaron para triage en unos minutos. La enfermera de triage lo entendió perfectamente. Me enviaron de nuevo a la sala de espera. Unos minutos más tarde, me llamaron a otra oficina. Esa enfermera también lo entendió perfectamente. Llamó a Nefrología. Mi médico no estaba esta semana. Habló directamente con el jefe de Nefrología. No le dijo que había venido de Córdoba, ni mi nombre. Él me conoce. Le dio las gracias, colgó, y me dijo que podía conseguirme una cita para el jueves o viernes. Le dije que no volvería el jueves o el viernes. “¿Podría llamar de nuevo y explicarme mi situación?” No, no podía. Escribió una nota que podía llevar al check-in principal en el centro médico para ver si podían conseguirme una cita ese día. Me pregunté en voz alta cómo podrían lograr eso cuando aquí en Urgencias ella no podía. Dijo que se sentía mal, pero eso era todo lo que podía hacer.
Fui al mostrador de facturación principal y me encontré con una multitud. Nunca había visto tanta gente en el vestíbulo. Tomé un número para solicitar una cita. Mi número era el 99. El último número que apareció en la pantalla era el 40. Murmuré, me quedé allí de pie entre la multitud por un momento, y caminé hacia la parada de taxis.
Envié un mensaje de texto a Lulu en Fuengirola y me encontré con ella y Rita en un café en el Paseo. Luego, los tres fuimos a comer unas deliciosas tapas. Hicieron que mi viaje desde Córdoba valiera la pena. Después de nuestro rápido almuerzo, le envié un mensaje de texto a Tynan para ver si él y Elena habían regresado de su escapada de fin de semana a Bilbao. No habían regresado. Luego le envié un mensaje de texto a Nick y Alyson para ver si habían llegado para sus vacaciones. Sí, habían llegado. Aún no habían deshecho las maletas. Me reuní con ellos en su hotel y disfrutamos de la compañía mutua durante un par de horas hasta que tuve que tomar el tren de regreso a Málaga para mi viaje de 49 minutos a casa desde allí.
Así que, aunque estaba completamente frustrada en mi intento de ver a el nefrólogo, el viaje no fue en absoluto un fracaso. Sin embargo, fue extraño estar de vuelta en Fuengirola. Solo han pasado unas semanas, pero parecía historia antigua. Córdoba ya se está convirtiendo en mi hogar. Así que volvamos a las fotos de mi primer gran paseo.
• ¿Aceptarías regalos de este hombre? ¡Qué miedo!
• Un legionario romano tomando un descanso de fumar y de las redes sociales.
• Me imagino que los banderines navideños se ven mejor de noche.
• El ladrillo parece haber sido siempre un material de construcción popular en Córdoba.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
It’s odd how good the service is in Cordoba, and how bad it is in your old neck of the woods.
I might have, because I’m pervy like that, moved around the Roman to take a peek at what they were under their leather kilt.
But that’s just me?
Bob:
Boxer shorts.
Bless you.
Well, you managed to salvage some fun and pleasantries from your otherwise wasted trip, so that’s good. Man, that Santa needs a bag over his head.
Debra:
Imagine pulling the bag off and seeing that!
Many Santas are a little creepy.
David:
It’s no wonder so many kids scream and cry.
Well, that was a pointless appointment. Gah. I hope your next attempt goes better. But you salvaged the day anyway, good. Funny how Cordoba is home so soon.
That was boud writing anonymous notes, bwahaha..
Boud:
I hope I don’t have to try again in Málaga. Right now, if I want to see my nephrologist, the first appointment is late January.
That Santa is monstrous!!
I’d take a – ahem – gift from tthat Roman legionary, however… Jx
PS What is the lovely building behind the Monsta Santa? It’s very grand, indeed.
Jon:
A gift? Hmmm… Legionnaire’s Disease maybe?
Isn’t that building stunning? I planned to go back at a better time of day. It’s one of more than a dozen buildings around the country once owned by the insurance company The Union and the Phoenix. The company formed in the late 1800s and was taken over by Banesto about 100 years later and then quickly absorbed by AGF. Some of the buildings are more impressive than others.
Your photo of the Roman Legionnaire cosplayer (Bad Santa’s little helper?) made me LOL — even the pigeons are wary of him! Too bad about your medical trip, but at least you got to see friends!
Tundra Bunny:
So grateful for Nick and Alyson yesterday!
How frustrating that must have been! I don’t like it when bureaucracies mess up and leave on hanging! But……friends are good,eh?
Jim:
Yes, friends are so good!
Isn’t it a strange feeling when one revisits “their” previous life to get that feeling of “huh, why did I live here so long”? Gees, your medical center experience is a universal experience it would appear. When you said #99 it just threw me back to my similar experience.
Ron:
The medical centre is short of doctors and has a difficult time holding on to them. I don’t know why, but it sure is frustrating. Many of them leave to work for the public health system. I don’t think I’ve ever had a sense of nostalgia for places I’ve left — even those I really loved.
Sounds about like a typical medical visit experience here. Which does nothing to help you at all.
I think we can all agree that Papa Noel is frightening. Even his size is scary. Perhaps he just has resting terrifying face. Not his fault.
M.Sigh
Ms. Sigh:
Resting terrifying face. I like that. But if that face showed his teeth I think every kid in Córdoba would run away screaming.
I would like to know more about that Roman legionnaire . 😉
Kelly:
You’ll have to use your imagination on that one!
Well, I am glad you could make lemonade out of the lemons from your supposed doctor visit!
Michael:
Our friends were my lemonade.
that last sentence made me feel good and glad for you.
Urspo:
And that makes me feel good and glad.
Oh boy, new views of Christmas lights for us this year!
Man, what a ridiculous experience at the nephrologist’s appointment.
Judy C:
Yes, truly disappointing.
I’m curious to see what the Christmas lights and events will be like here. Decorations just going up around the city.
Wow! Having walked out of medical appointments my own darn self, I feel your frustration. Fortunately, you were able to meet up with friends, make an adventure of it. I just read that Richard Gere is moving out of the country, heading for Spain. Keep your eyes open when you’re out and about. Maybe he’ll move into your building.
Shirley:
I thought of you! There’s an apartment for sale on our floor. I’m sure Richard Gere will be interested.
LOVE the Roman legionnaire checking his iPhone. Hilarious.
Steve:
That did crack me up.