Medicine

One of the challenges traveling to countries where one can't speak or read the native language is health care. On the train ride to Seoul this morning my seat was next to a young man who snuffled and sneezed the entire 2 hour 40 minute trip; there were also other people on board exhibiting cold symptoms.

I brought some mucinex and Tylenol but since I'm in Korea's largest city I decided to explore options. I found a pharmacy where a Korean who spoke perfect English asked me what symptoms I exhibited; told him sneezing and runny nose (although I don't have these symptoms yet). He prescribed two medicines; take 1 tablet of each 3x/day with meals. No doctor's prescription required for these OTC meds; total cost: 7000won ($6.19). Don't know what's in them (label in Korean only) or whether they'll do any good and I generally avoid taking drugs of any kind but it's good to have options:)