...and so... a few days after the Hemis Festival I missed my footing whist strolling through Leh, in Ladakh, not looking where I was going, the pain in my right ankle hit me straight away, I still remember the coppery taste in my mouth, never known why that happens at times of pain.
Long story short, stepped off a kerb didn't see the loose rock, wasn't expecting anything but a flat landing.
Hobbled back to the guest house we were at.
She, (my now ex companion), was not impressed.
Our local guide was called, he was not impressed.
Taxi, hospital ho hum.
I was warned that it was a private hospital and that I would nave to pay to register and pay for my treatment, ah fuck thought I how much is this going to cost me. Glad I had travel Insurance, otherwise I would be doing a lot of pot washing, and Megan would be standing on a street corner smiling at strange men! (But knowing her, it would probably be the other way round ho hum).
Yes private treatment is expensive in this part of India, registration cost 100 fucking rupees (just under £1).
However unlike UK hospitals you don't sit around waiting for 12 hours for a basic triage.
Arrived armed with just an old nokia phone, I couldn't resist taking a snap albeit a really quite shitty shot, of the welcoming sign in reception.
After a long wait of 10 minutes I was ushered into see a doctor, X-rays advised and done within 15 minutes.
Back to see the doc, who was glad to announce that nothing was broken, just badly sprained. Wanting though to put my leg in a plaster cast. Quite insistent really.
No thanks doc, no need for that, just wrap a crepe bandage round it and give me some paracetamol and I will be fine, rest it for a day then I can hobble and hop.
Cheeky fucker invoiced me for the plaster of paris that was ordered but never used...another £3
Still, made it back for dinner at the Penguin Garden in Leh, brilliant restaurant stonking curry and, because the Dalia Lama was in the region for his birthday, no alcohol was allowed. No worries, as I say a brilliant restaurant, they served ice cold lager in a teapot, with a cup and saucer.
Medical tip: Paracetamol washed down with lager works wonders.
