Curling!

Last night we went and watched a curling tournament. Yes, curling ... that sport we Americans only see briefly once every four years when they happen to show it during the Olympics and even then we don't really know what's going on and we think it's kind of funny that they're running up and down the ice with brooms. Luckily I have Jason with me to explain some of the rules/strategies. Curling isn't a high action sport but it was fun to go watch, and it is definitely something that we couldn't have done in El Centro!

We also had to go and get our "physicals" yesterday. What a joke. In order to apply for a work visa we have to have a note from a doctor saying we are physically able to work. So we went to this clinic where there are no appointments, you just show up and sit in the waiting room until it's your turn. It's sort of a strange system where you just have to look around the room and know who was there before you and who came in after. So when it was finally our turn I went into the room and told the doctor/nurse that I needed a note for a visa. So I sit down next to the doctor and the first thing he's worried about is the money (I really think this whole thing is just a scam to make some extra money for the doctors). After we get that settled, he begins the "grueling" exam. "How do you feel? Do you have any serious illnesses? Do you take medication? Is you blood pressure low?" (I was laughing inside when I though he was just going to take my word on my blood pressure, but later he did actually measure it). He listened to be breathe twice and declared I was fit to be a teacher, gave me a note and sent me on my way.
This actually seems quite typical of the Czech medical system. We have been told that people go to the doctor and are told things like "you will be sick and cannot go to work until next Thursday" or the doctor will even ask the patient how long they will be sick (which, most of the time, somehow manages to coordinate with how long they'll be gone on their trip).