Let's Get (a) Physical!

One of the requirements for foreigners to work in China is to pass a physical. There’s nothing tricky about the physical, you just can’t have a mental disorder or any STDs. Basically, China doesn’t want you to pass on your dirty, contaminated genes into their otherwise pure and clean society.

I don’t exactly have a phobia of hospitals but it’s still not on my top things to do in a foreign country. Nancy (welfare officer) gave me some photocopies, an address and told me that I would be able to get to the hospital a-ok. She did take me on a bus halfway there (it was on the way to the office) and then told the taxi where I wanted to go. I found the place alright. Before the physical, you basically wait in a room with other foreigners (and some of their translators) for your number to be called.

It’s an efficient process. They have it all figured out on how to expedite the process. You first check in, then they direct you to the waiting room. When your number is called you go in to have them check your paperwork and take a quick (ugly) photo of you so that as you walk through the stations, the nurses can make sure you are who you say you are. Then you go to the cashier to pay. Go to the changing room to take off half your clothes, wear a robe and shoe booties. You go from room to room where you are weighed and heighted. They draw some blood, check your blood pressure, test your eyes, look up your nose, chest x-ray, heart check, an ultrasound (?? to make sure my womb is empty??). I also helped the office make health check appointments for two other teachers.

Afterwards, I had to figure out how to get myself either to the office or to get home. I decided I had time to go home and rest before my afternoon of classes. Got in a taxi, told them I wanted the line 2 metro stop (which was supposed to be the closest station) and got myself back to my neck of the woods. However, I didn’t anticipate the distance being so great, so I ended up having something like an hour at home before I had to head back out. Sad times. I’m feeling really really tired these days.