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This can’t be Europe. This must be the most Northern country in Africa! It really is not difficult to answer the question why Portugal has become one of the poorest countries in Europe. And will soon become the poorest! I believe it was Alexandre Dumas, a famous French writer who lived in the 19th century who once said that Africa begins at the Southern side of the Pyrenées. Well, Spain has made a certain evolution for the better, but he sure was right about Portugal.

What happened? This morning, I was supposed to see my doctor at the health service over here in Vila Nova de Cacela for a three monthly check-up and another blood test. Since I had a heart-attack on my 46th birthday almost three years ago, I am taking care of my health, so I want this check-up every three months. As usual, I had booked the appointment a couple of weeks ago and the new lady behind the counter had booked me at 09.30am. Last month, she told me I was going to be the first patient to be seen by the doctor. I arrived at ease, around 09.10am this morning, knowing that the doctor always arrives in between 09.30am and 09.45am. I was going to be the first patient, so I could wait a little while.

After having cued up to pay for the visit, the new lady told me I was going to be the seventh patient this morning, as there were six people who had arrived earlier! I couldn’t believe what she was telling me! Apparently, a new lady behind the counter, so new rules as well. Forget the modern way of doing business, turn back the clock one hundred years and live forever happily ever after! Who needs an agenda? First come, first served, as it used to be the case in ancient times…

As I have unexpectedly a plane to catch later today, and I had a whole lot of administrative tasks to do for my company, I couldn’t wait all morning in the very cold building. So I asked for a new appointment for next month. Guess what? Despite the fact that the new lady is sitting behind a computer, and apparently putting the appointments in the computer, she couldn’t fulfill my request. As, according to her, she had not yet an agenda for 2009 going beyond the end of January! Can you believe this??? Every outlook system has got an agenda for the next couple of decades, but the Portuguese health service has no access to any agenda!

I then agreed for a new appointment on January 27th, and I told her I will be there at 08.00am sharp when she opens the door. In order to be the number one person arriving, so she can take notice of that. I will then go back home for breakfast, and will return at around 09.30am to see my doctor.

This happened earlier today, in Portugal, on the 15th of January of 2009!

Incredible! In Portugal, nothing has changed since the glorious days of Alexandre Dumas.

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