8/25/2023: A(nother) Trip to the Doctor

Vienna, Austria

With my antibiotic supply running low and my ear infection yet to clear up, we attempted to navigate the Austrian healthcare system, which was surprisingly more confusing than either Budapest or Istanbul. There didn't appear to be any walk-in clinics or urgent cares, and so we called Vienna's general hospital to see if we could come in to get the ear checked out. Everything was by appointment only and booked out for days, and the only walk-in option was reserved for life-threating conditions only.

We found a private practice doctor with same-day availability, and I was prescribed another week of antibiotics (that makes three weeks with this infection!!) We paid the hefty $120 fee - more expensive than Budapest and Istanbul medical costs combined - and tried to find a bike rental so we could explore the town. After struggles with the rental process and exhaustion caused by 95 degree heat, we decided to throw in the towel and head home to our cozy, air conditioned apartment.  

When we got home, we inadvertently found ourselves sinking, yet again, into the bed created by God himself. After watching a documentary on aliens, we napped for three straight hours (whoops) and woke up dazed and confused. Unwilling to get out of the comfiest bed that ever was, we watched another movie, eventually dragged ourselves out of bed, and then got right back in after a quick dinner.

No regrets.

~ Savvy