Monday, May 20, 2013

Day one of work

This morning I awoke to incredible views. High upon the hill I looked down on the village and the fog surrounding the village below. I felt so at peace, with the world and with myself. The sounds of the birds and the animals was so tranquil. I could have sat on my porch all morning. I took a cold shower ,got dressed and Molly (one of the physicians ) came to get me for the work day. Every day is a staff meeting in the conference room. The walk to the hospital was a killer!! I have quit smoking- yeah for me!! But yet the walk to hospital 'bout damned near killed me!! I was thinking "am I that outta shape"? I have been walking with my PA Kay at BMC occasionally at work, and i don't feel this bad!!  Until Molly told me that we are at a higher altitude than Denver Colorado! Oh, okay it's just the lack of oxygen up here!
The houses and people that live outside our "guarded" area are so friendly. The children scream good morning!! There is the cutest black cow-I will get pics of him later. When I say "guarded" I mean AK47 in the mans hand!! Nervous but a feeling of protection! 
So after our staff meeting, which is mostly in French , I head to the lab with Gaspard. They introduce me to the rest of the lab techs-please don't ask me to remember names!! 
The histology lab is very impressive. Autostainers, processors,web cams, and the such. This lab could put some in the states to shame!! 
Gaspard, Irenee and I work together to figure out the staining problem on the stainer. Gaspard shows me how he grosses the specimens that he has received. We did some control blocks for gram and liver and colon. Me being the Tasmanian devil has to learn how to turn it down a couple of notches. It is a very relaxed slower pace. Of course there is not that many specimens right now. 
I did some correspondence with my supervisor Suzanne( thank you for help ;) ) and Jim Pepoon. I am bound and determined to get this lab in a good place before I leave.....
Lunch was good. I ate the meat- they tell me it was beef!! Rice, potatoes,carrots,peas, sauce-which I would like to get the recipe- was actually filling and good!! Here I take Like one large spoonful of everything and the other have MOUNDS of food on their plate.I am full,Gaspard tells me I don't eat enough! Go get more! 
The rest of the day runs pretty good.
Gaspard asks me if I would like to go into the "city"after work for a bieri!! Sure! So we meet at the PIH House with one of the other lab techs. Take a nice bumpy ,darker than dirt, walk into town. Thank god for flashlights! We stayed for a couple of beers each. Now for three of us,I had a large mutzig and small one, and the other two had 4 beers----- grand total.......$8.00!!! Sorry but you can't beat that with a stick!! The two gentlemen walked me to my door, past Mr. Ak47 who questioned them about me and where we going. It was a very nice time with them to find out a little more personal things, Gaspard has a baby which I hope to meet while I am here.
It's just day one , and I feel a connection to these people. They are becoming my family. I don't even want to think about leaving,because I know it is going to be hard for me......
Well it is 11:30 pm....time to get some shut-eye, I got lots to do tomorrow.
Thanks  for following!!!
Love and kisses to you all 💋❤❤❤❤💋








4 comments:

  1. Sounds awesome, though a wee bit scary. Love the pictures. What do you mean, no Tasmanian devil!!! Are you going to come back chill? Have fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheryl.........not scary at all!! I feel very protected!! I have to slow down here!!! It's kinda like going to Jamaica and they say "ire"--relax!! It is hard for me but I will come back chill!! <3

      Delete
  2. So far so Amazing Pame! I am loving following your Blog...it is very surreal, almost like reading a book. I can almost picture everything you are writing about!

    Checked in on Bill yesterday and found him wandering aimlessly around the yard...Just kidding!

    Happy that you are well and look forward to more of your coming adventures and goodwill! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jimmy!! Sometimes I think its sounds corny.......but I just write what I feel,see & do!!
      It is amazing.....
      I really wish I could speak the language more as the people would like to converse, and their English is about as good as my Kilrwanda!!
      Thanks for the check in!!
      I'm working on your dirt!!!

      Delete