Day 8 10/23/08
October 23rd, 2008
Today, a word on arrogance. And provincialism. I had a correspondence with an old friend that reminded me of all the “specialists” who were against this trip. Even told me that this might kill me, or at least make things worse. Well, so far, that turns out not to be the case. I’m not sure what motivates this, “if we aren’t doing it, it can’t be done”, or , “oh, those Chinese, they’re good at acupuncture and herbal medicine”, but I sure am glad I didn’t listen.
Well, enough vitriol for one day. I was saddened to hear that Martin, my wonderful physical therapist and acupuncurist, was transferring to another hospital tomorrow. I asked him to a farewell lunch. I thought it was a little early when he wanted to leave at 10:30. He said he would take me to a place a short walk away.
Bataan was shorter. By the time we got there, I was sure this was one last session of PT. We sat down (finally!) only to find out that this place was no longer serving food, drinks only. So we got into a cab (thank God) and went to a place that I unfortunately didn’t get the name of.
We walked into this place only to find there’s a two story spiral staircase to the dining room. This may as well have been Everest, as far as I’m concerned. I should have said no, but we’d already struck out once, so what the heck. Now, I knew full well that going down those stairs was going to be a lot harder than going up, but I figured that would take care of itself (Must’ve been the stem cells talking).
Well, I made it, which simply wouldn’t have happened, oh, a week ago. And it was definitely worth the ascent, and descent. This place looks like a country club. We sat on two love seats at a low table next to a concert grand piano. The menu had a “western food” page in English. I ordered a ribeye steak and a glass of blended fruit juice. Martin, a filet.
What we got was: a salad of cucumber, tomato, onion, cubed apples in a sour cream sauce and slices of banana. Rather odd combination that came with two slices of what I can only describe as Texas toast. I ate the fruit and the toast, not bad.
Then they brought the fruit plate, More banana, pear, watermelon, and other fruit I couldn’t identify, fresh off the vine or tree or whatever. By now I’m getting full. THEN they brought the soup, a corn(!) chowder which was actually quite good.
Then they brought Martin’s filet on a sizzling platter with all kinds of vegetables, what looked like fusilli, and a fried egg. The waitress poured a tomato based vegetable sauce over the whole kit and kaboodle. It sizzled so fiercely that Martin had to hold up his napkin like a welder’s mask. I asked him what the sauce was, and he just shrugged his shoulders.
My ribeye was a bit more sedate, about ten ounces of beef (more meat then I’ve had since I got here) on a bed of shoestring fries. There was a brown sauce on the side. I don’t know what this stuff was, but if I could patent it in the states, I’d be rich. It was beefy and spicy and rich without being cloying. I poured it all over the steak and devoured it. By far the best meal I’ve had here.
The reason I’ve gone into such detail was the check: 230 RMB for both of us. That’s $33 U.S. folks, no tip allowed.
First spinal tomorrow. I can’t wait.
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6 Comments Add your own
1. Aunt Sandy | October 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Great to hear you got a decent meal but more important that you were able to manage the ascent/decent of the stairs. Sounds like all in all another good day except that Martin is moving on. Surely the next PT person will be equally as nice/good. I’ve found no matter where you go for the most part the professionals are all very nice/kind (except for a nurse rachet now and again) – I’ve found more than the majority are very dedicated folks. We’re having winter here or at least it feels like it to me but it’s nice having/seeing the changing of the leaves and seeing Rigoletto sink into a pile of them on our walks. Definitely something new for him – the palm trees never shed their frons. Mom & I are doing well here – we were out with Aunt Zaghig last night for a bite. I always enjoy being with them and it’s good for all of us to just “hang out” with food of course. Going to run for now, have to run over to Plandome Road and pick up some stuff from the cleaners. Meeting Patty tonight and going to Lincoln Center/Philharmonic – I t hink the last concert I heard there was when LC was fairly new so you know how many years ago that was. Patty, Mary and all my other friends ask for you and send good vibes and prayers your way………….Love ya, Aunt Sandy
2. Jeff Crowe | October 23rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
How ironic that the “anti-spam word” to leave a comment was CHROMOSOME….
I guess someone has a sense of humor….
Anyway, lunch sounded terrific…great details.
I HATE to hear the Martin is leaving. He’s a great person. Who’s going to do your PT and acupuncture now?
Good luck on the spinal.
Jeff
3. sylvia | October 24th, 2008 at 12:53 am
I’m also sorry to hear that Martin is leaving you. You have been writing his praises here, so I know you have appreciated his talents. I have to say that knowing this, I can’t imagine that it was just a coincidence that he put you through such an exhausting ordeal (akin to mountain climbing) followed by an extraordinary reward of your (our!) favorite treat…good food!
The moral of this exercise? Good things come to those who work hard. Or…you don’t know what you can accomplish unless you try. Or…as a fare-thee-well from a consummate professional…a fitting homage to the dungeon masters of the health care industry…the S to your M…from your Physical Therapist! Well done, Martin, well done!
And as always Mike, should you choose to accept it, your mission is to locate that restaurant again, and get the recipe for the secret brown sauce! (thx for the food details…you honor all the foodies in your family!)
Sounds like you’re sleeping better…xoxox
4. melissa tantillo | October 24th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Well, i have no idea how you made it up those spiral staircases, much less DOWN them!!! Were you as impressed with yourself as I am? Unreal!!!
So now you know where to go if you are jonesing for some beef!! Actually, I wonder if the English speaking regulars there could tip you off as to where else to go to get some good eats, without having to kill yourself to eat it!!
Can’t tell you how much these journal entries mean to us back home. If I close my eyes and do a LOT of pretending, I can imagine that it is 30 years ago and you are away at U of M and I’m still home wishing you were, too. Your writing certainly hasn’t changed since then, you still have an incredibly ‘readable’ way with words!! I’m gonna keep saying it, you have to write about this when you get home.
When I wake up in the middle of the night tonight (for some strange reason, I have a hard time sleeping through snoring and children crying) I will be sending you so many positively charged thoughts that you won’t know what’s hitting you!!! Oh sure, you may think that it’s the needles, but it will be me!!
So much love and good stuff,
Melissa
5. roseann ...( mrs D) | October 24th, 2008 at 6:58 am
hello mr goz….
just got off the phone with your wonderful wife and she gave me this site….i hope you don’t mind we writing you. I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better already and that the IV treatment was such a positive first experience. I always felt that eastern cultures had an edge over the good old USA.
Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts always and that i miss you and your family.. i guess i am going thru GOZ withdrawal.
Maybe your next pizza will come with peas instead of corn
Always Roseann
6. Aunt Sandy | October 24th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Actually I think It would have been a hoot if you had bumped down the spiral staircase. Maybe Martin could find a way to work it into future therapy sessions. Of course they won’t be for you so you won’t get a finders fee. Talked to you this a.m, after your joyous session with the riveter. It’s good they don’t yous a nail gun. My sweet Mike, what you have and are going through. You do know that you make us all better with your forbearance and wondrous good spirits. I know part of it is “keeping a good face” for the rest of us. You also know that doing that helps you also. I’m on my way to the other house. Getting info on installin an alarm system. More money down the toilet. Oh well. Happy Anniversary and Love and Kisses and any other good thing you can think of. Hang tough my love. Your Mom
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