July 12th - Relax Day

My leg felt better when I got up and we decided to walk for coffee and see how it would do.  I really thought I could walk the 8 miles today.  However, after about 10 minutes, I changed my mind.

New plan devised, find a place local to stay night.  We also decided to get me a compression sock, thinking my issue might be a DVT.  Got the sock and attempted to get a place to stay, but no luck.  Because of the festival, hotels were booked.

Decided to go to the Tourism office and see how they could help.  We needed permission to stay another night in albergue and we thought he could call and get that. The albergue in A Guarda is run by the city.

We got the ok for additional night and then decided to go to doctor. We still weren't sure what the issue was  but thought it worthwhile to check.

We were told we could go to the public clinic and it would be free.  I wanted a taxi, too much walking already, but taxi company was too busy to even answer the phone, so we walked.

We arrived to discover no one spoke English and we don't speak Spanish, so language problem exasperated the situation. Finally able to determine that since I don't have an EU medical card, they could not see me.  We were sent to the Private clinic and again...had to walk.  (Normally, walking wouldn't have been an issue, but....)

We found clinic and staff spoke English, thank goodness.  Appointment made for 5:15pm.  Made a short walk to rest my feet and then headed back to albergue. Check in was about 2 hour wait, but I needed the rest anyway.

The Albergue system runs on a first come first served system, so arriving early is best.

We had no problem getting beds, albergue didn't fill up.  We headed back out to get snack, appointment, and then dinner.  More walking.....

We arrived at my appointment at 5:10, took a seat to wait.  Doctor saw me at about 5:40. He decided to do an Xray to check bones.  By 6 exam was done, Xray was done and reviewed, and I had a diagnosis of muscle strain. He gave me two prescriptions.

Doctor visit cost €65 which included the Xray.  Two prescriptions cost me €2.91. It's sickening to think I would have paid 3 to 4 times that had I been home using the US medical system.

Back to albergue after dinner and to bed.  Plans to be made tomorrow.