Soul,

Great response, I much appreciated it and enjoyed it.

You wrote: "However, that being said, I have never been to a doctor here without having my blood checked, the point being that the doctors here don't ever seem to take chances, they want to know what is really wrong with you and are not afraid of tests."

Curious as to what those blood tests cost in Switzerland. I had a blood test here recently, nothing too unusual in what they were looking for, but a slight bit more involved than just a run of the mill blood test. I got a bill for $1,300 from the testing lab - I had to call my doc, as I was sure that had to be error - no error.

I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago, I went out of plan, as I figured the most it could cost was $1,500-$2,000 - wrong - $5,300!! And my insurance wouldn't pay anything (even the smaller percentage they will pay when you go out of the system) because what they pay for a colonoscopy is set at $400!! Whereas I thought $5,300 was completely outrageous, so was $400. So I called an attorney friend that works for a very large health insurer and she told me her company, too, contracts to pay $400 for a colonoscopy. Strange stuff.

You also wrote:

"Interesting this one. I actually don't consider myself to be far left, and probably not really liberal either. Plus some of the best writers on this board are obviously conservative in viewpoint or strongly independent. I'll take it as a compliment though if you don't mind :)"

I don't think I said you were far left; I can see you inferring that from what I wrote, but that's just your guilty liberal conscience! And, it was meant as a compliment; I don't always agree with what you write, but your writing is head and shoulders above most others, stylistically. Content, well, that's another story altogether. LOL Take care.