Korea healthcare

I will start off by saying I am in no way an expert, but I have gathered some interesting info through a couple of experiences. First, I would like to say that birth control is offered over the counter for about 7,000 won. With the current exchange rate it is about 5.50 US. I think this is interesting given the fact that in the US you have to be prescribed birth control. For a country that seems to be downlow about sex they seem to have the best ways of handling it. You want to get down in private love motel, want to not have a baby go to pharmacy and pick up birth control, very easy and simple. Just dont talk about.
Second, I would like to say that the medicine here is 4,000 won and is very easy to get. You go to the pharmacist, if they speak English tell them what you have and they bring you medicine. Done. No long draw out wait at the doctor's office with a 30 dollar co-pay for him to get you a prescription. No waiting room full of sick people that are probably making your situation worst. No a simple transaction.
In the event you do not have and English speaking pharmacist have a Korean friend or co-worker write the symptons down on the paper. They will still try with all thier might to explain how to take and how many times a day.
If all else fails, role play. Koreans like a good game of act it out. I play it with my students all the time.
I would like to say I have not idea what I took. I am not even sure I took the medicine the right way, but I am not sick. I took this silver packet of balls that smelled like incenses. I throught it was tea but the Korean teachers laughted when I got back to the office and put it in a cup. "NO teacher. Just take the balls like pills and drink water. I felt like I licked a stick of incense for a week but I got better.
There really isn't to much damage I could to do to myself with the medicine I took. From what I understand it was herbal and the medicine that was mecidine was in a much lower dosage that we use in the States.
I have to say I like the Korean healthcare system. There is not as much drama as healthcare is in the US.

Glamorous (Black Baywatch in Korea)

It has been a while and alot has happen. The title of this post should make sense in a couple of minutes. In Korea it is considered bad form to should your bare arms. You can wear street walker shorts and thunder cat boots(lace up boots to you thigh for those that have not taken ho-ism 101) . To conform to these rules I wear a v neck shirt that cover my arms, but allows me to use the many tank tops I have brought. I final wear this oufit to work and everyone down stairs in the teacher lounge said "Oh, so nice". I figured I was good. I get up to the 3rd floor with the students who have begun to stare at me more than usual. I think nothing of it I change my hair every two days maybe they got confused. The day goes by and I start hearing the word glamorous. "Oh, so glamorous". The little boys start bringing me things. They batting they little eyes at me. It just started getting weird. I 'm walking towards Kristina teacher and her eyes get huge and she says , " Wow, Karolynn-teacher so glamorous". By this time I am getting kind-of weired out. After class Kristina teacher catches me in the elevator and she is still on this "oh so glamorous". Now she is saying why feeling on my arms and just looking at me in admiration. Finally she says, " Karolynn teacher, so glamorous. You can see you bounce all the way down the hall" and then she just looks at my chest. I felt so akward. So now I am think my new nickname should be the black baywatch.

Updating

Sorry it has taken me so long to update. First, I would like to say I am not starving anymore. I have found more food I will eat. Teaching is getting better. My students are great.
I have started walking around alot more, which has helped me get more comfrontable with Korea. There is not much to say right now. It is late and I have assignments due. Will go into more detail on the weekend about surrounding areas.