Monday, January 16, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
LIFE
This has been a good and busy week. Most important is the newest grand baby Khloe. She made here appearance January 3, 2012. She was 7 lbs 5 oz and she and mom (and family) are doing well. It was exciting to have frequent Skye updates but not the same as being there.
We are proud and can't wait to to see her in person and hold her.
I was hoping to report that work was becoming routine this week and that I was getting the hang of it but alas that is not the case. After arriving at the office the morning Khloe was born I received a call of someone having a heart attack in the embassy. I grabbed my meager "go" bag and off I went.
Working fast and furious with CPR and a AED another life was saved. Then the learning began. After 17+ years on an ambulance I had the ride of my life on the local ambulance. I attempted to continue to direct care while on a wild ride through the streets with my patient not even strapped to a stretcher, and unable to speak the local language. The local ER was not American standards or even anywhere near them. My patient needed to be med evaced to London. Approximately 24 hours later I was on a medical flight to London with a patient who was grateful to be alive!
London was cold, rainy and crowded just the way I left it in November.
Two lives in one 24 hour period is far from routine!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
BONNE ANNEE
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wayne and I rang in 2012 with CNN in Nashville on AFN. We missed the Algerian start of the year but we were up for the celebration in Nashville. It seemed appropriate.
This week we visited the Casbah which is the historic district here. It is the oldest section of the city and unique. It was established in the Phoenician times based on 4 islands off the coast. The islands are gone but as the city developed up the hill much of it remains. There is an intricate web of walkways between the buildings lined with homes and shops. It was not until the French invaded that streets became common. It was an interesting outing and we were accompanied by heavy security. We later had a multiple course lunch in someones home.
Since I have not included pictures in several weeks I will spare you any further ramblings and just use pictures:
Typical middle class apartment in Algiers
The start of the Casbah. Part of the remaining wall that fortified the city.
Vinegar, corn and diet Coke. Most have French and Arabic writing
Wayne and I rang in 2012 with CNN in Nashville on AFN. We missed the Algerian start of the year but we were up for the celebration in Nashville. It seemed appropriate.
This week we visited the Casbah which is the historic district here. It is the oldest section of the city and unique. It was established in the Phoenician times based on 4 islands off the coast. The islands are gone but as the city developed up the hill much of it remains. There is an intricate web of walkways between the buildings lined with homes and shops. It was not until the French invaded that streets became common. It was an interesting outing and we were accompanied by heavy security. We later had a multiple course lunch in someones home.
Since I have not included pictures in several weeks I will spare you any further ramblings and just use pictures:
Typical middle class apartment in Algiers
Algerian prison |
Narrow paths through the buildings |
View from the upper Casbah to the Sea |
Vinegar, corn and diet Coke. Most have French and Arabic writing
Notre-Dame D'Afrique Christmas mass in French |
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