Shenyang - Back to Normality (ish!)

I cant belive 2 weeks has passed already since returning from South Korea. When I finally made it back to my apartment in desperate need of a shower, I wasn't best pleased to find that my water heater had broken and my water was freezing cold. I also found that since I hadn't been there to kill the bugs I had a weeks worth in my apartment. The rats were also still at large! I wasn't as happy as I thought I would have been to be home! Having only an hour before I had to leave to meet the guys, I armed myself with a fly swatter and bug spray and tackled the bugs before braving the shower!I was happy when it was once again time to leave my apartment.
After having a really good night out, meeting up with my fellow teachers and swapping golden week stories I finally made it home at 7am!! It wasn't surprising that when I finally woke up the next afternoon I wasn't feeling great, and blamed it on a hangover until I started throwing up. I didn't stop for 2 days.
After missing a day at school I was determined to go back in, I dragged myself out of bed at 6am (still feeling like death!) and went to school. I threw up twice before 8.30 and Young (my Buddy!) insisted on taking me to the hospital. Now, as most of you know, I'm not a fan of hospitals/doctors in England, let alone China, so I refused to go! But after telling me that I had to because of woking with the kids I was left with no option.
The hospital was worse than I had imagined. It really wasn't clean and was full of sick Chinese people. I was still feeling really poorly and it was the last thing I needed. Luckily I got to see a Doctor straigt away. She took a blood sample and after quite a bit of persuading a urine sample (I was given a plastic cup and pointed in the direction of the foulest squat I think I have ever been in! Armed with my antibacterial handwash and wipes I braved it!) I almost felt a little relived when this was over, but little did I know the worst was yet to come!! After a bit of trouble translating, Young finally managed to get it across that they needed a stool smaple. Oh No You Dont!! No Way! It was at this point I made my first attempt to escape the poor excuse of a Hospital. All I kept hearing was 'This is China", "This is how we do things here". Yeah, well not with me you don't!! And after 20 minutes or so I managed to talk my way out of pooing on a plate.
After waiting about half an hour I was told that I had to go on a drip and would be given some tablets to take. I had a virus and needed to go on a drip because I hadn't eaten in 3 days and needed fluid etc so I thought it was fair enough and didn't have the strenght to argue with them anymore. After a bit more waiting I was taken to this tiny room with 2 beds. In one of the beds was a really old, smelly Chinese woman attached to a drip, who sat up and got really excited when I entered the room. The room wasn't clean and the 2 beds were practically touching. It was at this point my second escape attempt was made.
After a few tears this time I was told that I would be given my own room, I was so fed up at this point I really wanted to leave, but knew I would have to go back to the hospital before returning to school, so just decided to get it over and done with. I was taken to a small, but cleanish room (unacceptable to English Standards, but spotless to the Chinese!) where I was attached to a drip.
After attaching me to the drip I was told that I had to have an injection (to stop me from being sick).... in my bum. Now, I think they must have gotton wise after my attempts to escape as they attached me to the drip before telling me that I had to undergo the humiliation of dropping my trousers in front of, not just 1, but 6 doctors (all female thank god!) in order to have an injection. Why did it take 6 doctors to give me an injection? Why couldn't they just do it on my arm? Guess why.... Go on!! "This is China!". "This is the way we do things here!" Argggghhhh!!
Do you know what I think!? I think they saw a westerner and all placed bets to see how much humiliation I would take before I walked out! Well I showed them ! 7 Hours I was on the drip, feeling helpless, humiliated and incredibly sorry for myself before I was allowed to go home.
As you can probably tell I am more than fine now, and I wasn't going to share this as I didn't want my folkes to worry, but seeing as so many Chinese people had a good old laugh at my expense why not let you lot have a giggle too!!
After my ordeal things have slowly got back to 'normal' as far as life in China is concerned. I only have 10 weeks of teaching left, and I'm busy teaching and planning my trip to Borneo in January. After not going out for a fortnight I am looking forward to seeing my friends this evening and, I'm sure, having a good old laugh at my expense!

I'll tell you one thing for sure... There's never a dull day in China!

written by

emmarogers85 on October 18, 2007 from Shenyang, China

from the travel blog: Teach and Travel China - 6 Months

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