Canada and the 7 Cs

View from the parking lot of the dentist's office where a good friend went for some of that less than pleasant kind of dental work. She asked me to be her driver, as she wasn't sure she should drive herself home afterwards.  She also knew that it might be a little break for me, for she and I to spend some time together, even if only on the hour-long ride to and from the dentist across the border.

With all the focus about the current state of healthcare in the US and Canada, it somehow seems a bit ironic that the wait to see a dentist in my own hometown can be months, while it can often be only a day or a few just across the border.  The exchange rate also used to be incentive to cross the border into Canada for dental care but, with the current rate of 96%, that isn't the case right now.  Doesn't socialized healthcare have a reputation for long waits?  Not here, anyways.

While she was at her appointment, I had time...to go out for a chai and a bowl of curry.  It was so strange to eat out alone.  They seated me at such a tiny, little table.  There was time to read from a book while waiting.  There was no stuffing of food down without really tasting it, in anticipation of some potential meltdown or other situation seemingly always on the verge of arising.  When getting up to leave, there was the habitual check under the table for anything "we" might have left behind.  I never would have thought I'd say this, but it felt.... lonely.... eating out alone, not to mention the twangs of guilt for enjoying a good meal while my friend was a few blocks away in the dentist's chair.

Then, it was off to pick up some favorites:  a box of Red River cereal, bulk-sized boxes of Red Oval Stoned Wheat Crackers/Craquelins de Blé Concassé (Since when are they owned by Kraft?), a 6 pack of Okanagan Cider, and chocolate-dipped toffee.

Red River, Red Oval, Red Curry. 

Chocolate, Chai, Curry, Crackers, Cereal, Cider.  And a 7th thing brought home across the border,  Corn skewers.  The 7 Cs + Canada, makes 8.

It was a nice, quick, few hour, mini-trip away.  C and I have plans to see HP5 together tomorrow night, another little getaway. 

My head is a little clearer now so maybe blogging will resume.  Heaven knows, there's plenty to post about and many pictures taken.   It's just been impossible to sit myself down at the screen to download them and put together a post.  Summer, and too many irons in the fire, you know.   

Comments

[caro]

Gorgeous view from the parking lot, that's for sure. And those reputed wait times? My whole life I never had to wait to see a doctor or dentist. I only started hearing those rumours when I moved to the States.

[Ellen]

Love your word associations. Sorry for your friend. Isn't going to the dentist fun? The curling of toes, the hand gripping the chair in anticipation of pain all the while the hygienist/dentist asking you questions that you're unable to answer since your mouth is full of metal things and suctioning things. Oh the noise. Love it.

[Holly Jo]

Isn't it funny how you LONG to have a meal on your own, even resenting people you see alone, then when the time comes you miss the company? The irony of motherhood, I suppose.

The Canadians who work with my husband say everyday stuff is great in socialized medicine. No wait - good service. It is when you need an oncologist or a specialized surgeon that things get sticky. Just what I've heard, of course. Funny how "rumors" spread. :)

[Peg]

Glad you came for a visit, even if you friend did have to undergo pain. Red River Cereal - my children used to call it 'hen scratch' porridge, as I used to buy the scratch to feed the wild birds! They did like it though, as do I!
Eating alone at home, I think, is the best! If everyone is out of the house and you have it to yourself - heavenly!

[Elizabeth]

No waits for doctor or dentist here in Canada but some specialised stuff may require a wait time. It doesn't make the dentist/doctor visit any more fun EVER :)
I feel a little self-conscious eating alone but I love to go to the movies alone.
It takes a long time to get to the point where you can enjoy a meal without kid-stress. (Double digits age-wise maybe, although they still will kick each other under the table occasionally) I still jump up from the table too many times though.

[Elizabeth]

To further clarify, dentists are not in the same system as doctors - it's strictly pay as you go for dental care, unless you have private insurance or paid through your employment benefits.
(I too want to get to Rhineback some day. I think I'd have to drive all the way (9 hours) to make it work or it's a logistical nightmare.0

[cheryl]

Eating alone does feel quite self indulgent and lonely at the same time. I ate alone at a pub in Milwaukee, WI a few weeks ago before catching a flight home after all of my companions had gone. I even drank a pint and it was 1:00 on a Tuesday! That felt almost naughty!

[lucy]

I don't know much about Canada's socialized medical system, but I know that in Norway it is WONDERFUL. No waits, for doctors or specialists. The care you receive is excellent-- whether you actually live in Norway or not. My husband is a Norwegian citizen living in the States and we have never had problems when visiting because my husband and son are "in the system". Statistically Canada is rated as high or possibly higher than Norway.

[Melanie Watts]

Where about in Canada is that parking lot? love the view.