Operation renew Visa Day 2

In all fairness, I can't think of a single country that would want a sick or unhealthy individual moving in and sucking off their health-care systems. Unfortunately, it does happen and that is why I was sent on the other-worldly quest I experienced yesterday. Ok ok, it wasn't THAT big of a deal and I was impressed with the speed in which all of the medical places (count 'em, 3) responded to my requests. In other words, I would NEVER have had such a short wait in an American hospital or lab as I did here in New Zealand's. Choice.

So the day began early with a trip to the photographers. There are very few photographers open at 8:00 am who can take a passport photo and process it in ten minutes. Hell, if this were America, I'd have no fear, for Walmart would be there. After some phonebook searching I did manage to find just such a place (minus the Wal-martesque blue vests) and in no time, I had my passport sized photographs. Only here in New Zealand, you're not allowed to smile...for anything related to official documentations. So it was more of a mug shot, though I tried to raise up my eyebrows a bit, which made me look like I really really wanted to smile.

Annnnyway-from there I was off to my doctor. Who incidentally was the doctor I acquired (can you acquire a doctor?) while I was working out in the country...cheaper, rates, better service. So I liked her so much I've officially made her my doc, completely ignoring the half hour drive to get there. Two thoughts on this one- it takes me a half hour to get to my doc at home and I don't want to get sick very often!

I arrive and they start doing all this stuff...you know, standard physical stuff, height, weight (lost 1.5kgs!) eye tests (i had a small panic attack because I thought my eyes were going because I couldn't read the bottom line as well as I used to be able to---but the nurse told me most people can't read it at all so i felt better. They also did ear, nose and throat checks and my doctor filled out all the information on the questionnaire that she needed to. And for all this, they lightened my pocket of a cool $200. Yes you are not reading that wrong. $200 bucks for what they used to do for sports physicals back in high school. Fuck me. (and yes that is secretly what i whispered under my breath as I pulled out my atm card). The best part is that I still had two thirds of the medical stuff to do!

So the nurses at my doc's helped me locate a place to get my chest X-Ray. They also helped me find a place to get the necessary bloodwork done because apparently NZ immigration has made the test so official that no regular doctors can do it anymore. I headed back into town, towards the center, to complete this lovely process. I was still pleasantly surprised to realize that I would be able to get everything done in one fell swoop.

When I arrived at the medlab for bloodwork, they took me in immediately. Charged me the $96 for sticking me with a needle, and then poked me. In a flash it was over and I was gone. And poorer. I did notice (as I always have) that the woman drawing blood are typically really really nice and good at conversation. Probably a quality they look for when hiring so if someone seems the type to freak out they can deal with it well.

From there I went down the street to the X-Ray lab at the southern cross hospital (why do hospitals always have something churchy in their name...though this is probably because of the southern cross in the night sky. Just a query). My appointment was for 3:45, but the bloodwork required no waiting and I was out of there by 2:45. So I thought, 'may as well see if they can take me earlier'. And holy crap they did. This would NEVER happen in the US. If you show up an hour early to an appointment, they don't say "oh come on in". They say, "please take a seat (and wait your turn you overenthusiastic hypochondriac.)" And bam, it was done. Five minutes, maybe ten. One small chest X-Ray and another $78. My medical day was over by 3:30. Well done New Zealand medical.

Which brings me to this conclusion. Of course this country is going to want healthy people coming in. They want to keep their medical services running efficiently.

So that was my day. I became nearly $400 poorer, and a few steps closer to gaining a longer standing visa. Everyone keeps asking why I don't apply for residency. Well, a) I haven't lived here long enough to do so and b) I will someday. Just not yet.

-NMK