Fun At the Local Medical Clinic in Atenas, Costa Rica

This morning we went to the Farmacia Clinica in Atenas to drop off a prescription. This is where we go for blood work and medications. Some people have their assigned doctor here, but ours is at the Ebais in Barrio Jesus and it is not that far from our house. We see our doctor and then take prescriptions/requisitions to the Atenas clinica.

After dropping off the prescription, we went to Kay’s Postres Cafe & Restaurante for breakfast. Kay’s is right next to the clinic. I had the BELT (bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato sandwich) and a fruit smoothie, and Lance ordered an omelet. After breakfast, we wandered back to the clinic but my prescription was not ready.

So we took seats and just people watched. There is a clock on the wall that forever says “it’s 10 o’clock”. There is a sign warning against any amorous activities, like kissing. The clinic can be very confusing at first. Some people are waiting to see a nurse or a doctor, others are lined up to renew their carnets (medical cards), people like us waiting for their prescriptions ..... then there are those waiting for the Needle Man.

I met him once - I needed a shot in the butt for some reason or other. He is dressed all in white - shoes, trousers and shirt. He waits for a needle prescription in his inbox and then calls out the name of the lucky recipient. One little girl went skipping happily into his office and came out a few minutes later in her mother’s arms, crying and rubbing her tush.

But the funniest kid (although I guess he didn’t think it was so funny) was the one who must have been told ahead of time what he was going to be facing. He and his father were sitting across from us. The boy (maybe five years old) was complaining, crying a bit, trying to escape. Then his name was called.

He immediately grabbed hold with both hands to his chair arm and his father had to peel him off. Dad carried him towards his fate, but he grabbed hold of door frames and put his feet on walls to stop forward motion. It was like trying to put a cat into a carrier. I didn’t know small children could do this. You should have heard the caterwauling (ha ha) during the needle procedure. Out he came in his father’s arms - rubbing his rear end.

So is it better to warn your kid ahead of time or tell them they are going for ice cream in the nurse’s office?