Hospital survival

Though this is off topic for this blog there are a few things you should know if you should become ill or hurt in Greece. First, don't expect the same organization as in American hospitals. You will run in circles for x-rays, blood tests, registration etc. My father came for knee replacement surgery and painfully hobbled to four different buildings. Secondly, the "fakelaki" (envelope) is a must. This is an illegal practice of "under the table bribes" which doctors, nurses, orderlies and the like expect to ensure a slightly higher level of care. There may be ethical medical practitioners somewhere in Greece but I have yet to meet one. Greeks themselves perpetuate the problem rather than solve it as they don't report it to authorities. Even I won't mention which hospital we're in or which doctors we're seeing for fear of retribution of this post. Next, you will be expected to provide the majority of the care for your loved one such as bathing, bedpan duty, etc. At present, there are 2 nurses for over 30 orthopedic patients on this floor. The noise level is unbelievable and doctors and patients smoke while hiding from one another. Last, you will be required to donate blood. If you are unfit to donate you have to find or pay someone else to do it for you. All I can say is what a mess. If you can, go back home and get your health in order or be sure to go to a private hospital. Below are related links to the health care controversies in Greece:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_0_18/02/2009_104826
http://greekodyssey.typepad.com/my_greek_odyssey/2007/06/recently_a_youn.html
http://livingingreece.gr/2008/09/24/eu-corruption-perceptions-index-2008/
http://bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com/search?q=amalia

Grandparents' ghosts

We spent last week in my father's village of Ag'Yianni. The village is on the southern coast of the Peloponnesus, an arid rough part of the country battered by coastal winds, salty air, and very little rain. Beautiful and wild, I wondered how anyone could have lived here without our modern conveniences. Tenacity, in a word, was the key to their survival. I've met a lot of people from here but never realized before how many faces, expressions and mannerisms of the people of this village remind me of my tenacious grandparents and my father. Many of the villagers saw these same traits in my children and my self, our inheritance you could say. I had a myriad of flashbacks of my first visit here when I was nine and hearing stories of my father's antics as a boy from his parents. Sadly, my grandparents are gone but their home where they bore and reared their children still stands. The old style of architecture can often be seen in converted hotels which keep the old style of furniture, linens, and simple art as part of their ambiance. It may seem clumsy or unrefined but it is often made by hand and is irreplaceable. If you get a chance, stay in one of these hotels and soak up the history and the people. Who knows, maybe you'll see a little of yourself in their faces as I’m sure they’ll see in yours.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monemvasia