Hostel Territory

So we've set off to Barcelona to live the dream and open our very own hostel. We're keeping this journal online to keep everyone updated of our progress, adventures and mishaps navigating Barcelona's booming tourism industry, Spanish bureaucracy, and daily life in Catalunya.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Oh my. It's been one of those mornings. First, our door buzzer stopped working last night. Instead of the loud obnoxious buzz that went off when guests rang the doorbell, we've got a constant loud, obnxious buzz. Fortunately, we've got a camera on the front door, so just sitting here vigilantly watching the camera like hawks. I decided to prop the door open this morning, but the neighbors don't love that. So far only 1 guest has complained of standing outside for awhile.

Then the water goes out. This happens from time to time. We've got a nice system in place (call Aigues de Barcelona to get an ETA on the H2O, Post signs on the bathrooms, go door to door with free water bottles). Regardless, it never makes for the happiest guests.

Then someone comes to the desk to tell me that a guy in the male dorm can't get out of bed and needs a doctor. Awesome. So I assess the situation and realize he probably just needs a house call. Of course, this being Sunday, everyone who's anyone is away at their Costa Brava beach house. The doctor I normally call tells me to call 061, Spain's answer to 911.

Word to the wise, if you ever have a medical emergency in Spain, 1) You're probably better taking care of yourself 2) Prepare for the Doctor to harrass you if your injury/illness is not serious enough to have disturbed him on a Sunday morning.

The conversation went like this:
Me: I have a guest here who needs medical attention.
Grumpy Dr: What's wrong with him?
Me: He has severe pain in his shoulder and can't move his shoulder or his arm.
Grumpy Dr: Well then he needs to come in. Probably needs x-rays.
Me: Okay, but he's in so much pain that he can't get up.
Grumpy Dr: How old is he?
Me: Around 30
Grumpy Dr: Is there something wrong with his legs?
Me: No. Just his shoulder?
Grumpy Dr: Well then what's his problem? He's a young man. He should be able to get up. Shoulders have nothing to do with legs. Tell him to get up.
Me: I'm just relaying what he's telling me. He says it hurts too much to get up. What should I tell him?
Grumpy Dr: Tell him to get up! What, does he want us to come there and help him get up? A thirty year old man should be able to stand up on his own by now.
Me: So what are you recommending? Can someone come see him?
Grumpy Dr: No, we're not coming to see some young guy with a hurt arm.
Me: Uh, okay....
Grumpy Dr: Well, we could send an ambulance, but that's ridiculous. He should just come in.
Me: Hold on, let me ask him what he prefers.

So I talk to the guest for awhile, and get back on the phone to realize Dr. Helpful hung up!!

Fast forward five minutes, an ambulance and two EMTS coming storming up. Nice EMTs do their thing, graciously help him get out of bed and take him to the hospital.

All's well that ends well, I guess?

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