We returned from Argentina. . . Great trip. . . And then I picked up my first cold in over a year. . . No fun at all sneezing, wheezing, hacking and snorting in the tropics.
Did cave in and went to the local pharmacy for an injection, which is what most Ticos do when they come down with a cold. Of course, due to my limited Spanish, I'm not entirely sure what I was shot up with, but it did some good, I think.
I walked into the pharmacy, told them I had a cold and needed an injection. After a few questions and sign language as to what my allergies were, the pharmacy tech told me to head into the back room for the shot. I walked back, and there was the pharmacy tech, drawing something out of a bottle with a needle. I gamely rolled up my sleeve and braced for the prick. She smiled, shook her head and said, "Pantalones abajo" or drop your pants. I did and she did her thing with the needle. It was a big lump on the right side, which made the drive home a bit uncomfortable, but think it was worthwhile.
In Costa Rica, you can get a load of drugs over the counter, whereas in the States you need a prescription. And the drugs are considerably cheaper than back home. My dad, a pharmacist, was checking out different pharmacies when he and my mom were down here in October, and he wasn't aghast about the pharmacies here, so that's good enough for me.
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