One week, the dentist... the next week, the doctor

I haven't been sick in over five years. I've had the odd headache here and there and both Kevin and I have had minor intestinal discomfort, but nothing to write home about. Last week, it hit me like a Mack truck. I slept most of Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, I caved and decided to go to the doctor's. When I had been to the dentist the previous week, when filling out the form, the receptionist had asked me who my doctor was. I had no answer because we've never needed one. Well, that's not exactly true. Here in Costa Rica, when you apply for your driver's license, you need to get a medical. You also need to get a blood test to confirm your blood type. This information is included on your license in case you're in an accident. If every you're taken to the hospital and you're unconscious, then they know right away your blood type. I think that's such a smart idea. Anyway, I drove over to the same doctor in San Marcos, but there were too many people sitting in the waiting room. I didn't feel up to waiting around, beside other sick people. I remembered when our worker, Jairo, needed to see a doctor, I drove him to an office around the corner. So, I decided to go to there instead... it was just around the corner. I parked and walked into the second doctor's office and it was empty. The doctor came out, I asked if he could see me, he said "si" and that was that. After answering a bunch of questions as best as I could in Spanish, he checked me out. He determined that I was suffering from an ear infection, a sinus infection, a throat infection, and a respiratory infection... oh joy!! He set me up with five different kinds of medication. He avoids prescribing antibiotics as much as possible, which is fine by me. After several days, I am definitely feeling better, but still on the mend. I'm never happy about being sick, but I'm really grateful that it doesn't happen often, and I'm glad to report that my doctor experience was a pleasant one. 

I also went to the dentist for what I thought was going to be a new filling. Well, it turns out last week's appointment was merely to get a mould done. I have to return this coming Wednesday for another two-hour session to get the porcelain cap placed over my tooth. 

In other news, Martin rescued (or bought, I'm not sure) a baby calf about six month ago. The calf is getting too big to hang out in their small yard, so he brought him over to our pasture to join. our five bulls. When Kevin asked his name, Martin said "Junio". He's all black... and beautiful. Introducing a new bull to an already established herd is always full of anticipation: will he be accepted or bullied? Our bulls are docile and we've never seen them be overly aggressive, but one never knows. Like people, they have their personality compatibilities... and incompatibilities. Kevin witnessed them jousting gently... just having a bit of fun. They seem to be getting along just fine. It's nice for Junio to have some pals: bulls are social animals so living a solitary life doesn't seem right. We're happy we have the space to accommodate him.

So, going in a clockwork direction, we see Junio (all black) at the top, then Rocky, Cruise (he has to most unusual colouring with black legs and light grey back), Redford, and Rain Man. Willis is off to the side, down the hill... out of the frame. As you can see, they're all pretty relaxed.