My expensive big toe

I went to a clinic today to check out my toe and after a few X-rays, it turns out that it is in fact fractured. Had a very amusing time trying to communicate with the doctor and nurses using a lot of sign language and very very broken Japanese! I was trying to explain how it happened, but the more I tried to explain it, the more ridiculous it sounded. Luckily, the nurse who put on a mini-removable-cast-cap-thing on the toe in question had a good sense of humour, so we joked about me hobbling around and not being able to wear heels, and the perils of late night karaoke sessions.

We actually covered “going to the doctors” in one of our language classes recently, but its one thing to talk about it and another to walk the walk. Everything is different – you have to carry your insurance card with you before they will even let the doctor see you, and although you don’t have to make an appointment I was seen within about 15 minutes. You also have to pay there and then before you leave; luckily I came prepared and it wasn’t actually too expensive (just £15 for diagnosis and treatment) although I have to go back next week for a check up.