Modo dictu

 As mentioned in an earlier post, we went home on R&R to Florida for the holidays. It was awesome, and the weather was pretty amazing our entire time there. We did it for the usual reasons (family, friends...holiday at home!). Getting a break from the air pollution (which was horrible our first year at post in the winter) was a goal as well. We also went back for medical checkups. You might be saying to yourself, "Why would anybody go home on R&R and get routine medical exams done?"

  Maybe you've never run into this problem before at a post during your FSLife, yet. I know how it sounds. I have thought the exact same thing, word for word, in response to someone else saying it to me. It's ok if you think i'm just a crazy crank who is never happy and or paranoid after reading that. I have some days when I think that, too. But for those of you who don't know or have not guessed it yet, the answer is because post does not have local providers on the economy capable of handling routine checkups. This was the situation I found myself in last November, during my yearly wellness visit, when I was told flat out by MED that I would have to go home for a pap smear, and a mammogram.

SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday, indeed.

  So, the choice to go home was also a convenient one because it meant I could go home to my doctors and get everything taken care of without a language barrier, and (relatively) fewer delays in insurance paying for stuff. Even if it was all taking place during the holidays. It also meant we could take the kids to their pediatrician and maybe get something to help with the cough they'd had for eight months. And a trip to the dentist for both kids. And a trip to the eye doctor for the whole family, and anything else that might be necessary. Fun times!

  Thankfully for us, we have a place in South Florida to go home to (from the before-times) for R&R, home leave, etc. Having a car back home also helps. It makes things a little easier for us since all we have to do is switch on the power, have a cleaning service stop by, and get the internet/cable hooked up.

  But this is certainly not the case for everybody in the foreign service. So, here is my very simple post-it note sized list anybody could use if they found themselves in this very position. I have not included any doctors on this list because while I could point someone towards doctors in Florida**, most people already have that covered wherever they call home in their home state. The last section is totally comprised of Florida things* (because hey, if you have to go back home for R&R and medical stuff, why not do it in a place with warm weather and beaches), so feel free to alter the last section to suit your own personal needs. Or just plan a trip to Florida. Whatever works for you.

THE LIST OF STUFF TO MAKE YOUR R&R/'MEDICAL TRIP' EASIER***

HOUSING

Execustay - While we don't need to secure housing for R&R or home leave right now, I have used this service to arrange for lodging during OB medevac and home leave for our family. They handle arranging for everything so you don't have to- internet, phone, furnishings, etc. Additionally, they also take pets, and you earn Marriott points. You can even get housekeeping and additional services if you want.  Execustay is very responsive about addressing problems with your rental during your stay, and finding you a new unit if (for whatever reason) they can't correct the problem with the original property.

National Corporate Housing - We have used NCH for our time in DC when training is required before heading to post. They are also quick and responsive, and non-intrusive. A good choice if you can't get what you're looking for with Execustay.

TRANSPORTATION

Super Shuttle - Do you have a pile of luggage, a kid (or more) and pets that all need to fit into the same transport to and from the airport? Super Shuttle is your friend. Drivers are hit and miss, but this is probably the best service for getting everything in one vehicle to and from the airport.

Execucar - Also a good option to get everything in the van to and from the airport. Their vans are fancier than Super Shuttle.

If you know where you are going, when, and you have your arrival and departure dates already, you can always compare car rental prices (and get a better deal than last minute probably) at car rentals dot com for the full run of your trip. If not, you are probably better off visiting car rental sites directly.

*FUN STUFF

Biscayne National Park

Everglades National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park

Big Cypress National Park

Fairchild Tropical Gardens

Fruit and Spice park

Robert is Here

Tate's Comics

Mai Kai

Miami Metrozoo

The Jungle Queen!

Bonnet House

Parrot Jungle

Monkey Jungle

Coral Castle

Drift diving off the coast of South Florida

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Any of the Florida Keys

Kennedy Space Center

Lion Country Safari


(SOME) DOCTORS THAT TAKE FSBP IN FLORIDA  **

Femcare - For all your OBGYN needs. Dr. Bass is pretty much the only reason I am not dead. As such, I cannot recommend him enough, ever.

Worldwide Pediatrics - Dr. Millon is awesome, as is pretty much everybody at Worldwide Pediatrics. Although I have not used the service, this pediatric office also offers adoption services.

Cardiology Consultants of West Broward - They don't have a website, sadly, but they are great if you need any cardiology work done.

Pembroke Pink Imaging

Super Smiles - Dentistry for the kids (and probably adults)! Pediatric Dentistry / Family Dentistry / Orthodontics

South Florida Oncology & Hematology - Also no website, but a great office if you need an oncologist or hematologist.

*By their very nature, most of the really quirky attractions to see in South Florida are tourist traps. You have been warned!

** I know I said I didn't list any, but then I decided to anyway.

*** Not a very complete list, kind of bare bones.

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