To The Docs

I went to consult a dermatologist as my limbs were still itching and I was rather concerned by how gruesome my legs looked. I fear that my legs would never look as sexy as they used to be(Ha!). So I told Darling I needed to see a skin specialist.

The translator helped me book an appointment with the doc. He is the only skin specialist in Ghazaouet. Hence, to avoid the long waiting time, I had to make an appointment in advance. Unfortunately, not only did I have a pair of hideous legs, I was also down with a fever and a very bad sore throat that day. I ended up seeing 2 doctors.

We came to what seemed like a small housing estate, with buildings which were of 5-6 storey high. The dull greyish buildings looked shabby and there were litter everywhere. By looking at the size of the window, one could tell that each apartment in the building was miserably small. I wasn't impressed by what I saw and I started having doubts about the credentials of the doc. What if the doc ended up aggravating the condition of my legs? I spotted a blue signboard on a metal grille painted in white - Dr Dali Youcef F. At least the window grille wasn't rusty and it looked clean compared to the rest. 'Maybe there's hope', I thought. (I think I'm being illogical here. What has clean window grille gotta do with how good a doc is? Never mind. I am capable of being illogical at times.)

Dull, shabby building.

Signboard in French and Arabic

I was immediately ushered to the doc's office as he was expecting me. There was no need to wait at all. I felt like a VIP. The doc's office was clean and looked presentable. At least, it looked like a doc's office. Dr. Youcef was a young chap. He examined my limbs, asked several questions in French and explained what medication he would be prescribing. Everything was done in less than 15 minutes. While the doc was busy scribbling away on a piece of paper, I looked around for some sort of framed doc certificates hanging on the wall, like those we would see in clinics back home. But I found none.

We walked to another similar housing estate which was just across a street to consult my 2nd doc, Dr. Boughazi. The clinic looked similar to the previous one altho the walls and doors would look better with a new coat of paint. The clinic assistant was very friendly and chatty. In fact, she was way too friendly - she asked me lots of questions in French, gave me a nudge here and there, touched my pull-over, my jeans, my rings! I was so glad when it was my turn to see the doc.

Unlike all the docs I have consulted, Dr. Boughazi was really rough when he handled me. Instead of touching my forehead gently to check if I had a fever, he literally pressed his palm against it. He didn't even use a thermometer on me and declared that I had a fever! Then he proceeded to check my throat. He stuck what looked like an ice cream stick into my throat and I almost vomitted. I swear he must have thought that he could find some gold deep down in my throat! Anyway, I looked around the office and found nothing that looked like a doc certificate as well.

Waiting area for patients.

That's the very rough Dr. Boughazi. I forgot to take a pic of the gentle young doc.

See that lady in white? That's the extremely friendly clinic assistant.

We headed to the pharmacy to buy medicine after we left the clinic. So, I'm on 2 kinds of antibiotic now - one for my throat infection and the other for my itch. My fever's gone and my itch has subsided. So I feel less of a monkey now. My throat feels better too. I think I can consume a large bowl of spicy laksa but I know it's almost impossible here in Ali baba land. Where can find laksa here sia? Sigh! 9 more days to go! Hang in there!