Our meeting with the local doctor and police

We have now been in Goa for a week and it's a very relaxing place. We've been on the beach a lot and attended many farewell dinner parties for several group members. We hang out in the same restaurants and bars day after day and we've been dancing the night away. We're staying in a local guesthouse with 2 other people from our group and a crazy dog licking our feet everyday. It's more backpacker standard now, compared to the 2 weeks in various hotels. All in all, quiet beach life and a lot of sun/sweating.

However, a little bit of action as well, here comes: Indian hospital for dummies:

It all started with me (Astrid) feeling extraordinary sleepy and tired from sunday morning till tuesday. That's when we thought wisest thing to do, was to find a real indian hospital! Luckily, our canadian friend could take me on his motorbike so we could find a hospital with some decent standard. When asking for the way to the recommended hospital a taxi driver said "No, no, very dirty!" So we decided to go for another one. And it was nice and clean. After waiting a while I was sent to the doctor. I started to tell him about my sleepy condition and he just replied "lay down!". After putting his fist around my stomach for a few seconds his conclusion was "very bad..stomach infection miss".

I was actually relieved. No malaria, no kind of tropical disease - just a normal tourist thing. After several samples, including a blood sample I was sent back to the doctor who gave me a huge package of king size tablets. He told me I was going to be a part of a clinical trial and to take these every morning and every night.

I was a bit shocked by the huge size of the tablets and I asked him: "A trial - is it safe?"
"yes, yes, good riddance miss!"
"so, you've tested this on people before?"
"yes, yes 20 people!"
"ok. so you're sure it's safe?"
"good riddance!" and then he put the first pill in my mouth.

well, even if the doctor didn't calm me down, I am feeling much better now. As a part of a trial I have to keep in contact with the doctor for a month. And since it's a trial - it's free! Perfect for a backpacker on a small budget.

I'm gonna go back there tonight followed by our last farewell meal in India.

The other exciting thing this week was our big scooter trip. We decided to rent a scooter for 1 day, Randi as the driver and me as the passenger we've been driving across Goa. We had company by 2 others from our group and we all went to Colva - which is said to be one of the nicest beaches in Goa.

In the middle of the highway our friends were pulled over by the police, and we stopped as well. The police officer wanted to see both their drivers license. And after a quick check he decided that the license weren't international and not good enough for driving in India. He showed us his own indian licenese to show us that he couldn't use it in our countries. Randi replied "Of course not! You don't have any rules here!" Despite of furious protests he wouldn't change his mind. And our Canadian friend gave in and paid the fine. Randi was not at all willing to pay 900 rupees for not having a good enough license. The policeman looked hopelessly at our friend and asked what to do with Randi, and he replied "Do whatever you want! Put the young girl in jail!" Then the policeman decided to let us go. Quite an absurd meeting with Indian police ripping of innocent tourists.

When we stopped at a coffee bar further up the road, we showed the fine to the waiter and he laughed and said it was a fine for not wearing a helmet.. He even called his friends to tell them about the incident. Well, at least the police had a nice work day, earning 1000 rupees for nothing. 

Tomorrow morning we're off to Bangkok!