gastroenteritis

I am still sick, but a lot better. I got to experience the UK health care system today, which was pretty efficicent and satisfying. I only had to wait about 5 minutes to see a nurse, and then after talking to me she made me an appointment with the doctor, which I only had to wait about 10 minutes for. Both were fairly helpful, except for the fact that they basically told me that they can't do anything for me and that I will just have to keep drinking a lot of water and wait it out.

"Soooooo there's no medicine I can take to make me feel better?" I said.
"No."
"No, antibiotics or anything like that?"
"No; that would just make it worse." At this point there was a pause, and it was clear that I was meant to leave the room.
"So, I basically have to just wait it out?"
"Yes, basically."
"And there's nothing you can do?"
"No, unfortunately not."

After another long pause, I finally got up and walked sadly to the pharmacy to buy something called "rehydration sachets," which, let's be honest, I am never going to drink. At least it wasn't a wasted doctor visit like in the states, where you are not only disappointed but down a few bucks, because I get free healthcare here, even though I am foreign. Oh, I feel so welcome. Tomorrow I get to experience more UK banking fun, and also UK being-registered-for-the-wrong-classes fun. God save the queen.