The past few days i have been mostly bed ridden, due to a very painful stomach ache. At first i thought it was the product of a wild bday, which I'm sure didn't help the cause most likely lowering my immune system, but ever since the morning of the 18th I've been basically out of commission. Luckily for me Vietnam television isn't so bad showing classics like back to the future, dumb and dumber, goodwill hunting, and money train to name a few. as well I am reading a really sweet book called marching powder (highly recommended). Regardless of the fortunate distractions, I've be unable to truly enjoy the beauty of the lively ocean town of Nah Trang, and the last bit of western food i will have the chance to purchase for a couple weeks We'll be heading back into the mountains tomorrow and will only be coming across small villages with local food which I am looking forward to but a nice club standwhich or pizza goes a long way when you've been off them for a while. So this morning when i woke up still feeling to crappy to drag myself out of bed to watch some NHL at the local sports bar, I thought this is enough. Once Dumb and Dumber had finished Maarten headed off 200m down the road to the local hospital. The first section we entered was entirely empty and gave off a very eerie feeling, the old stainless steel stretchers scattered about under stairwells and in corners of abandoned waiting rooms complimented the already bizarre atmosphere. As we rounded the corner and continued down a long hall we came to a small group. Quickly I was greeted by a man who asked in his broken english " what wrong you". Having learned that in Vietnam the "KISS" principal is the only way to go, I resorted back to my child instincts, I pointed to my belly and replied "tummy sore". The man who I assumed would be my doctor pointed to a bed in closest room, i didn't realize it then but he would also be my chauffeur. Within 2 minutes he was back to examine my stomach and through slow speech we both managed to communicate. He left the room and began to speak with Maarten. A moment later Maarten came to the door way and informed me they wanted to "take a picture" to make sure nothing to serious was wrong. It would cost equivalent to $7US. I was happy to pay the money too make sure i was all good but the possibility of the doctor suspecting something may be wrong along with the chance of him sending me for these extra tests to produce a lager bill because I'm a westerner left me wondering. But I was at the mercy of the hospital, and I just had to hope the Doctor was a better man then many of his country men that tried to screw us in previous situations. My main objective was to find out what was wrong and get the proper medication to get better, it is just natural while your in country like Vietnam that you look out for your wallet as much as your self. From the consultation room I was escorted up stairs to a room just at the top of the landing. The door was locked so the Doctor knocked a few times and a moment later a lady answered it while throwing on a white nurses shirt, she looked like she had just woken up. It was 12pm. The three of us when to the next room and they sat me down at the head of a small table. Doctor to my right and the nurse to my left. The nurse placed a tourniquet on the table along with a needle. Now they wanted to take a blood test as well. the needle was in a sealed package and they used antiseptic swabs so I was ok with it. Its funny how you get so skeptical over health care in these places, but in fact they were very thorough. With a few minutes from when she pulled the sample from my arm, she return with what looked like some kind of results. Im not sure. From there we went back down stairs this time down a different hall way and stopped outside another locked door. Once again Doc knocked, then again the again. There was no answer but Doc seemed pretty sure that someone would answer. he then pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. Just as he hung up the door opened. This lady looked even more tired then the last and her hair looked like she had been getting freaky, although she may just hadn't brushed it in a couple days. I'd rather think the ladder because shortly after she had my shirt pulled up, was lubricating a strange tool and was rubbing my belly. I was having an ultrasound, exactly like the ones women get. And despite my stomach aches and pains, I was not pregnant. This went on for about 5 minutes, a sheet was printed and the nurse stamped it. Doc examined all the documents I had collected and wrote me up a prescription. He then walked me to the Pharmacy where the Pharmacist was ..guess where? in his bed behind the counter. He packed me up a nice bag of some pills and hydration powders, Doc explained when and how to take it all and they sent me on my way. I spent no more then 30 mintues at the hospital, having a consultation, a blood test, an ultrasound and all the required meds. The final bill was about $9. Although I wouldn't be this lucky every time or i cant even say if the meds will work properly, but i find it amazing that it is easier to get basic medical care in a poor country like Vietnam then a western country that i am used to. Sure the majortiy of the staff was sleeping but when they were called upon they all did their jobs and hopfully I'll be better soon enough. These type of countries are incridible and really bring you back or for young people teach you the basics of living and having eachothers back. If you ever get a chance backpack a country like this. DO IT!