Special Treatment - Macedonian Style

What do you write about a country where you can't get anything done unless you know someone? Or where there are laws, but they are not enforced?

I went to a private clinic today for an ultrasound. My brother-in-law had to call a friend that works there to get me an appointment, otherwise they were booked until August. Again, you know someone you can get something done. He also asked about the price - $40, great. It was a very modern clinic, as nice as any in the states. It seems if you go to the public health care clinics here you may wait for hours unless you know someone to get you preferential treatment. I haven't seen these clinics but my brother-in-law compares it to being in New Delhi with wall to wall people standing around and the staff oh not so concerned if your sick or not.

Dejan has an uncle who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He travels 2 to 3 hours every other week to Skopje for chemo. They said the only way he got these treatments so quickly is the family has a relative who is a doctor there. Dejan's mother went to stay with him during his treatment this morning and she said it literally took her 45 minutes to find where he was. No one wanted to help. Everything was chaos.

Anyway, my appointment went well. My husband is finally getting his wish of not having the only penis in the family. After being around my girls so much in the last few weeks, I am thrilled to see that eventually there will be an end to dresses, hair bows, makeup, tampons and yes, female drama. I am holding much hope that things will be much less taxing with this little man. Dare I wish?

So, we go to check out and the lady says it was $120 rather than $40. Yes, it seems they have a separate price list for foreigners. And of course I'm not in Kansas anymore. There is no where to complain. No consumer advocacy agency to contact. You are better paying the money or better yet never opening your mouth. Then maybe they would just think you are a dumb mute rather than an American.