Colombia Forum

jooks
Joined 2019
Posts: 293

4 years ago

Installment 14

4 years ago

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

My clutzy fall on Saturday that I alluded to earlier turned out to be a humdinger although I didn’t realize the severity at the time. At times I’ve been unable to walk. I went to the fractura clinica yesterday where they pronounced that I will live. However, my freedom to traverse the streets of Medellin may be pulled. Nothing broken, just lots of lost tissue, or something like that. The doctor wasn’t the best at English. He prescribed rest, an ice bag, medicine and chicken soup. Life goes on.

Although I have basic insurance, I am not entitled to regular healthcare for 30 days from the enrollment date – only emergency care. Not wanting to hassle with that, I went to the clinic. The care seemed top-notch and the bill was 250.000 pesos which included X-Rays. That’s about $75, a fraction of what it would have cost in the US.

Speaking of which, I had a medical exam yesterday to see if I qualify for premium insurance. They wanted to throw me out as soon as I came in because I didn’t bring a urine sample with me. Hey, it doesn’t work that way in the US! And no one told me about it. It seems like a ridiculous rule since I could have brought someone else’s sample with me and they never would have known about all the creepy things running rampant in my body. Then again, I have learned not to question the Colombian way. I wore down the administrative clerk with my Spanish (or lack thereof). After a half hour, she agreed to waive the requirement. She asked when the last time was I went to the bathroom and I lied and said I hadn’t gone yet. They want the first piss of the morning. She pretended to believe me. I’m waiting for the results to see if I qualify.

I had time to kill. It dawned on me that I hadn’t done the super touristy things in town. So, that’s what I did. The first stop was as touristy as you can get, Botero Plaza. The Plaza is in the heart of downtown and I seem to see it whenever I visit. However, I never tire of it. It is surrounded by the Museo de Antioquia and the Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture. Botero Plaza displays 23 bronze in-your-face sculptures by Fernando Botero and were donated in 2004.

Next, Berrio Parque. Berrío is a plaza located in the heart of Medellín, Colombia. It is popular as a meeting place for local residents and as the main reference of the city for visitors, as there are several attractions nearby.

The Museum of Antioquia houses a large collection by Botero and Pedro Nel Gomez. It was established in 1881 by a group including Manuel Uribe Angel. The history of Antioquia is represented in documents, weapons, flags and other items from Colombian independence. The collection also contains pre-Colombian pieces, rocks, minerals and coins. Truth be told, the guanabana fruit drink was the highlight of the day.

Four blocks short of home, by knee acted up and I was in excruciating pain and could barely walk. I had to take a taxi to get home.

To continue about taxis, did I mention they are cheap as heck? Uber is very illegal, like, the driver gets his license taken away for 10 years if he gets caught. I really did hear that, but I also head the penalties were not so draconian. Uber rides generally cost under $2 for a short ride. Yellow taxis are a bit more expensive. My ride to Poblado yesterday took 30 minutes and cost about $4. And you’re not allowed to tip! Well, just don’t let a gringo catch you tipping or they’ll be all over you for, uh, tipping the social scales. Colombians don’t tip – taxi riders that is.

Restaurants are a little different. They generally add a service charge of 10%. However, the rule is that they have to get your permission to do so. Most places I’ve been to seem to comply. But the place I ate at over the weekend added the charge without my permission. I’m sure they did so because they thought I was a gringo that didn’t know better. I had them remove it. I hate not tipping but I hate getting taken advantage of even more.

Time for the ice.

William Russell

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William Russell

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William Russell

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