Turkish Adventure By Jim Buie

Antidotes to the Turkey Trots, or Sultan's Revenge

On my seventh day in Turkey, I contracted a bad case of Sultan's Revenge, or the Turkey trots. The next day, my son and wife contracted it. This is the third attack my wife has experienced in five weeks, so we've got to do something to combat it. A relative suggests Cipro. I hope we can get it here.

The Joys of Medical Tourism: Great Bargains

A "half off" Groupon coupon prices lasik eye surgery at "only" $2500 in Rockville, MD, whereas it's $800 in central Turkey. Better to have it done in Turkey, my American friends who had it done there tell me.

It is indeed remarkable how cheap and efficient medical care is here in Turkey, and how outrageously expensive it is in the states. Click.

One of the alluring things about going to Turkey to work is comprehensive health insurance for the family at minimal cost, something that hasn't been available to us recently in the U.S. We're part of a trend. USA Today reports on the trend in medical tourism -- Americans going abroad for surgeries and dental care. And Turkey is one of the prime destinations.

Kind of sad, though, that first-world Americans are fleeing to second-world countries for medical care, isn't it?