Featured photo is the logo for the optometry clinic at Ramstein Air Force Base.

About a month ago, Bill and I visited Ramstein Air Force Base, so I could get an eye test done for my Texas driver’s license renewal. That visit happened on a day when the only staff member working was an American woman who was an ICU nurse in a prior life. I managed to pass the eye test, but it was a struggle. She really stressed me out, and when I was done with that ordeal, I felt like I needed a drink.

One thing that happened during that visit was that the lady set me up for an over 50 eye exam. Today, that exam happened. Bill and I got up early, ate breakfast, walked the dogs, and made our way back to Ramstein, which is about a 90 minute drive from our home in Wiesbaden. As freaked out as I felt last month, I owe that lady a debt of gratitude. She really did me a favor. She gave me an appointment two days before they opened up appointments. If she hadn’t, I might have been out of luck!

I was impressed when we went through the gate. A sharp looking young man, Bill said he was a senior airman, checked our IDs and smiled as he saluted Bill. I took it as a good sign when he welcomed up to Ramstein. It was nice to see a servicemember on gate duty, instead of a security guard. He was very professional, and actually seemed to enjoy the job.

When we parked the car, I realized I needed to pee. So we headed to the restrooms, only to find them blocked off for cleaning. We knew there were bathrooms near the optometry clinic, so we headed for those. Again, blocked. I was annoyed, because people have to pee, and we had an appointment to make. Luckily, Bill found a restroom for employees that was open and unguarded. I ducked in there and whizzed, and we went to the optometry clinic.

After a welcome, I was handed paperwork to fill out, and a nice lady with turquoise colored feather earrings invited me to get some initial screening done. I was a little nervous, because healthcare folks often tend to scold me, and that gets me upset. But this lady was really cool and friendly, so I was at ease. And then I met the optometrist, who is, unfortunately retiring at the end of the month.

The optometrist was quite nice, and I enjoyed talking to him. He’s an American from Ohio, married to a German woman, has German kids, and plans to stay here after he takes one last trip home. He gave my eyes a thorough look-see, and informed me that I don’t have macular degeneration or cataracts (yet).

Then, I got my eyes dilated, and he looked closer at the dark spot in the back of my eye. I had been told by an eye doctor in Texas that it was a freckle, but the eye doctor today said it was a CHRPE— (chirpie). He tried to get a picture of it, but their camera apparently couldn’t capture it because of its location. The doctor also said the camera isn’t very good, which doesn’t surprise me, since we were at AAFES.

The doc said he likes living in Germany and plans to retire here. We were both talking about how we enjoy living in Europe. I added that I despise Trump, and he concurred. I almost wore my “Is he dead yet?” t-shirt today, but decided it might not be a good idea, given the people who frequent Ramstein. The eye doc also said that in Germany, there are opticians and medical eye doctors/surgeons. They don’t seem to use optometrists, as we do in the United States.

I got new prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses. It turns out that for all the drama the lady last month stirred up, my prescription didn’t change that much. I opted for the multifocal lenses, because they allow me to read, even though my vision isn’t as sharp as it is when I wear toric lenses. The doc also said I didn’t have to get bifocals unless I want them, since I rarely wear my glasses. I’m not sure if I’ll get them, anyway.

The visit was $288, which wasn’t bad at all, given all they did. My eyes are finally about normal again, hours later. But when we went to lunch at Romano’s Macaroni Grill (an American Italian restaurant chain with a location on base), I couldn’t read the menu. Bill had to read it for me.

It was kind of weird eating at Macaroni Grill. It reminded me of being back home. But I settled on seafood ravioli, and Bill had Cacio e Pepe Pasta, which was basically Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and black pepper. My ravioli was stuffed with “seafood” and came with shrimp and tomatoes. It wasn’t the best Italian food I’ve ever had, but it tasted okay and filled us up for the drive home.

The waitress was okay, although I noticed she sat down with the two guys at the table ahead of ours while dealing with them. That’s behavior I’ve noticed in casual American restaurants. I enjoyed a glass of white wine and some San Pellegrino. We decided that was enough for us and came home. First, we stopped by that cool Italian store in the AAFES mall, and picked up some more Italian goodies.

I’m really glad that’s over now, although the appointment went surprisingly well. I actually enjoyed the staff at the optometry clinic. I hope they find a new doctor, so the ladies working there won’t have to go work at the BX/PX, or wherever AAFES “needs” them. The lady I dealt with today was surprisingly knowledgeable. I heard her on the phone with someone who apparently got new contacts to correct astigmatism and needed some advice on getting used to them. She really handled that person professionally. Her talents shouldn’t be wasted straightening clothes or stocking personal hygiene items.

Aside from that, American people over here with the military need to be able to see a US licensed optometrist, so they can renew their driver’s licenses. The Trump regime has made it a lot more challenging than it once was, and now people have to go get their eyes checked, rather than just take a simple test.

It’s illegal for Americans to drive with expired US based driver’s licenses if they are here on SOFA status. A lot of people do it, but it’s technically unlawful, and can result in troubles. I remember back in 2015, German cops were busting Americans with expired licenses, and it caused a huge amount of ass pain for Americans. They eventually straightened everything out, but ever since that issue, I’ve not wanted to risk having an expired license.

My new license has since arrived, and is good until 2034. By then, who knows where we’ll be? It was actually lucky that mine needed replacement now, and I was able to get it done before the optometrist’s last day. Otherwise, we might have been shit out of luck. I’m also glad we did this today, instead of last week, when I was pretty sick with a cold.

Anyway, that’s done now. We are mostly over our colds, too, except for an annoying cough. Next week, we head off to Bern, Switzerland, for my birthday, and then onward to the Jung Institute in Küsnacht, so Bill can take his psychoanalysis classes. The travel blog will soon come to life with actual travel content, so watch this space!