February 13th again very early in the morning

Yesterday, we decided to not let an injury interfere with our travels. Judy and I went to the local hospital (Pok Oi) and have her knee examined. We took a taxi to the hospital and checked in at the emergency room. We would need to pay out of pocket for the exam and deal with reimbursement ourselves. The doctor recommended an x-ray. We decided to deal with reimbursment when we returned to the US.

The entire hospital staff wore masks and a small number of patients also wore masks. There were signs asking anyone with respiratory or communicable infectious to wear masks. The ER was rather empty at 8:30 in the morning and after checking in waited to be called. X-rays were carried out and the ER doctor examined them in our presence and stated that there were no broken bones in the knee. He suggested that she undergo an aspiration to relieve the pressure and for further diagnosis. The aspirate had blood in it and suggested a referral to an orthopedist. Apparently the only way referrals are done at the hospital are by admission. We said we would talk to you health insurance and find out what they recommended.

After some time on the phone we decided to do some sight seeing on Hong Kong Island and visit a private hospital, Canossa. As it turns out, we can only get the insurance to pay for us if she is admitted. This hospital also happened to be on Mt Victoria the highest peak on the island with trails and observation deck at the summit and one of the prime tourists sites. Hong Kong Island is one of the busiest places I have been. Leaving the subway and walking around was like leaving a packed stadium after the end of a baseball or football game but without the crowd ever dispersing. All is modern to the extreme, from subway to buildings to parks. There are skyscrapers everywhere, with the prominent IM Pei Bank of China another signature design. BTW, while the photo looks like the weather is overcast or rainy, in fact the weather has been quite good but there is a constant haze which interferes with the otherwise beautiful views of the harbor, mountains and city.

After too much hiking on the top of the mountain we headed down to Conossa Hospital, closer to the bottom of the peak. We were able to see a orthopedist who didn't seem to think that the aspirated blood was a big problem but recommended to either wait, or have an MRI immediately or wait a few days to see if it resolves. We left undecided and took a hospital shuttle bus down to central HK with the orthopedic department secretary Millie. BTW, much of the professional staff speaks English at both hospitals so communication was fairly easy.

We took the subway (MTR) to the Mon Kok station to take in the HK night life. This area was loaded with small shops, hawkers trying to get you into their shops or restaurants and wall to wall people walking, shopping and being seen. If the consumer society is in its death throes in the US, it is alive and well in Hong Kong. The crowd was very young and stylish. Neon lighted signs were everywhere and the din was palpable.

We were tired and hungry and were drawn in by one of these hawkers to a restaurant up two flights of escalators. We had a quiet dinner, went back to the apartment and collapsed into bed.