vaga #1/10 Dentist
Part X
I have to remind you that Vaga #1 are stories about me, The Vagabond Vaga #2 are about the Buddhist monks of Myanmar, and Vaga #3 is about Myanmar
This is not only a BLOG about my journey, it is also some stories about my past. (Only the ones that are appropriate to tell you) Even the Vagabond has go to the dentist like everyone else.
I knew that there was something seriously wrong with my teeth, and I couldn't put it off any longer, and so, I trusted my intuition, at least it is well developed, I opted for Jakarta, Indonesia.
On the internet, I found a dentist’s office that had good reviews on Google. It was in a residential neighberhood. I didn’t know if it was good or bad, but I followed my intuition, I booked myself into a place that was for permanent residents, no other travellers were there, because I knew that it was not only going to be one appointment.. The dentist in Chile had told me that I needed to have work done on my teeth, and what treatment was needed .., !!
I didn’t know if they spoke English or would explain it to me in terms that I understood ..…. !!! Yes, I was going with some apprehension, but I had to go. I put all my apprehension into my backpack. I found the office, opened the door and saw three secretaries in their Muslim clothes, very covered up. I had arrived at midnight without having had any contact with Muslim religeon before. !!! Hmm, mmmm !!! It was strange for me, not knowing much about the culture, it was difficult for me to understand why they dressed like they were.
I entered somewhat nervously and asked….IF THEY SPOKE ENGLISH….? ……. the 3 answered me in unison
!!!!YES !!!!
I asked for an hour’s appointment as I was travelling and I needed it !!! NOW !!!! …. They told me to wait for someone to attend to me within 15 minutes, a woman in normal clothes, walked in ... HA HA HA who introduced herself to me as Elizabeth, well, a name that is easy to remember, she spoke in perfect English, and was about 45 years old...
She welcomed me with a smile and led me to the chair. I told her my problem, she listened carefully, and we started with an X-RAY ...... I didn’t know what the prices were, or what the procedures would be. She said the same thing as the dentist in Chile and called two more female professionals to show them my X-RAY. They were all women they all spoke to each other in English. so that I could understand it and not in Indonesian… They were very careful not to leave me out of their opinions ……… there were several issues, and each one had its own specialist…… ..they reached an agreement on the treatment.
Elizabeth, was very kind and explained everything to me, about 7 times until I had full understanding about my treatment, because in Spanish, I understand very little dental terminology. Now, can you imagine me trying to understand it in English? She stayed until I had a full understanding, and eventually I did.
I started with Elizabeth right then and there, then a Muslim woman came in to do a different treatment… .. OK, IT WAS STRANGE TO ME…. they told me to come back the following day …… the next day Nadia welcomed me, covered up even more than the woman who had treated me the day before (the one on the cover photo) only, it was new to me and that's why I write about it. She had the most difficult job to do on my mouth. (I give up. Take me, I am all yours)
I went back on the third day, and I could not resist taking Papparazzi photos because I was inbetween laughing and curious I kept it to to myself. It turns out that they could not work on the gum because of infection, they put me on antibiotics, and I had to stay in the"house" for a week until the infection had cleared up ...... I returned, but they decided that my bones would not have the strength for an implant and I had to have a new X-RAY, They consulted with the laboratory about how to proceed. and they told me to come back the next day to find out the results of the tests. The laboratory gave up on the implant because my bones were too weak and would not support the implant. Elizabeth was always by my side, even if it was not her speciality, making sure I understood what would happen. She made me feel confident and protected and held my hand. She treated me like an adopted daughter, even though she was 20 years younger than me.
The whole team talked between themselves always using English and with the laboratory looking for solutions and I would come back the next day when they would have an alternative ……I closed my eyes and let them do what they needed to do ………the laboratory offered me a lighter implant, but it was very new technology, and they had never used it in that particular office ……. At the same time Elizabeth showed me that I had a bad bite…. me !!! PLOP !!! I saw that it was awful, she suggested BRACES and that in the future the implant would be the most definitive …….
BRACES NO, NO AND NO
I refused point blank …. and she explained to me the thousands of benefits of braces …… at my age? ME? NO ……… in the end, I asked her what she thought was the best thing for someone travelling with all that it entails. The braces were a nuisance in every way, but in the future, the implant could be done ... I saw her face so translucent. She took my hands and really, she said they would do you so well, and it has so many positive aspects and as you ask me personally…. I would…...…...I felt so cared for, she had become fond of me, and I followed her advice …… .. and I put braces on.
PLOP ME WITH BRACES…. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT
It took me a few days to get used to them, and I had to have a check-up once a month …… AND MY VAGABOND WANDERINGS? I have a great imagination, but this surpassed EVEN me, making itineraries depending on dental check-ups. It could not be more out of my lifestyle and my well-deserved freedom. I assumed that I would come back to Jakarta once a month. I had already made the decision… .. I assumed……….
With all this, a month passed, and my visa was running out. I went to Nepal to meet Rafa and the first visa option was for one month and the second option was for a 3-month visa which I opted for ……………… with Rafa, I arrived ten days ahead of him as he had university from Indonesia before my visa ran out…... I told myself .. and once there, I will see what will happens… everything was dependant on my first control with my braces ………... I think that part of my courage was put to the test, and living with the uncertainty of my teeth. not very easy, but it didn't stop me either
On my first day in Kathmandu I went for a walk, and I took the photos below. I took them …… because I could die here, I did not do a single check-up there. HAHAHA
But I was very relaxed at the same time, …… because it is a life full of surprise, and the surprises are abundant. When I met Patricia at the hostel, the Canadian I have already told you about. She had to go to the dentist in Kathmandu, and she recommended it to me because they were very good and she happily handed me the business card,and let it be on her behalf ……... I did it ……. The place was ok, I was not terrified. Also, Patricia's recommendation was essential because I did not feel like going to any old dentist ………. the next day , an Indu woman arrived with her classic red dot on her forehead…. ….Another rarity, and let's move on… I gave up…… .. ..all was well I had already made two adjustments with it, yes, I had had it done in Nepal, After that, I could do it anywhere, and I lost the apprehension of where I will have the next adjustment and freed myself from Jakarta.
and I will continue with these braces and the pain for the first two months and tremendous discomfort later ……. when I got together with Rafa in Nepal, to go on a trek ... he couldn’t stop feeling sweet revenge, because he remembered when I put braces on him, and he complained all the time and I told him " it's going to happen, you'll get used to it ' ... … the whole month we were together and when I complained, he told me with pleasure and a smile " it will pass, you will get used to it' HA HA HA ... at least you have ibuprofen, but you didn't give me anything… .happily he continued with his sweet revenge ……...
It corresponds to put a photo at the end, and it should be me with my brand new, wonderful braces …… which I refuse to do… so I end this chapter here