Healthcare

While we are in Taiwan, Lo-Lin suggested that we handle a lot of healthcare issues. My first question, why? America has the best, right? Not necessarily so. The problems started last week when I broke the arm off of my eyeglasses. I have/had beautiful ProDesign Denmark frames for the past 6 years. The last frames I had broke after 8 months and the shop in Denver replaced them for free. The same model broke again last week - after 16 months. I thought really expensive titanium frames would last a while, but I guess I am wrong. So, we had to fix these issues.

Eyeglasses/contacts
In America, most eyeglass stores require you to have an up to date eye exam (cha-ching $60-90 bucks if you don't have insurance). In Taiwan, they check your prescription for free. yep, for free. No, we didn't use Lo-Lin's Taiwanese healthcare, just went in. Since my prescription hasn't changed - it was really easy. I bought new frames and daily contacts (I have an astigmatism, so its more expensive): total: NT$7400 ($247) for everything and a 3 day turnaround. The frames I bought are high-end and would cost at least $500 in America alone. The winner: Taiwan

Eye doctor
I'm preparing to get Lasik surgery and wanted to get the full checkup. You know the ordeal - they test every single thing. In America, $60-90. here: NT$500 ($17). Oh, and I didn't need a 2 week advance appointment and wait an hour. I went day of and waited approximately 20 minutes. The winner: Taiwan

Dentist
In America, you typically need a 2-4 week advance appointment. In Taiwan, 1 day appointment. The dentist cleaned my teeth himself, after waiting for Lo-Lin to get hers done. She waited 5 minutes before seeing the dentist. The only disappointment was that the dentist did not check the condition of my fillings. I know that 2 of my fillings need repair, but he didn't bother to check. The cleaning itself was SO much better than in America. In America, they use this metal hook scraper thing to force the stuff off your teeth. In Taiwan, they use pressurized water. It is obvious which one hurts MUCH less. Alas, I paid $900 ($30) for my cleaning. The winner: split.

One last day in Taiwan and we are headed to Hong Kong.

In other news, we tried to go to Cosplay Cafe, but there was a 75 minute wait for lunch. Wow. The waitress was dressed in cat ears and tails, called me "Master", and politely asked me if "it was ok that we waited 75 minutes". This place is definitely for the Japanese lover in you.