Destination Pakistan

Training in Germany

I blame it on Led Zeppelin. I was at the wrap-up party for the MSF preparation course in Bonn, Germany. Things were slightly lagging. It was hard to believe that a bunch of medical, logistical and financial people could stay in such control. I sensed that a momentum builder was needed and this Zeppelin song from the 70's set me into action (strange, because I never liked them that much). I dashed across the dance floor and landed a seemingly perfect chest slide. My volleyball coach friend Doug would have been proud. A few things became immediately apparent. My colleagues were suitably amused (or was that bemused), I was able to confirm that the floor was much dustier than it looked, and I had temporarily damaged my rib cage.

I spent nine days and nights at Bonn's youth hostel and had a number of interesting and eventful experiences, and, of course, observations:
- There were 34 people attending the course from about 13 different countries. The split was about two-thirds medical (doctors, nurses, psychologists) and one-third support (finance and logistics). It was about 60% female and a fairly young demographic. I was definitely in the oldest quartile.
- My hostel room slept four. Of course, only four would actually sleep if Rajesh from India was the last one to nod off. Talk about world class snoring! I know that I've had my moments of immitating an airport and all that I can say to my former room-mates is I'm really, really sorry.
- There were 2 Kenyans attending the course and they were quite pleased with my limited kiswahili.
- One evening we had an orienteering event in a nearby forest reserve which saw us hike for five hours around a forest trying to accomplish what turned out to be unachievable tasks. We didn't finish until 2:00 a.m. My main contribution to the group was carrying a fairly heavy gift-wrapped table-top which proved to have no purpose. This turned-out to be an exercise on teamwork, but the interpersonal conflict they were hoping to create didn't evolve because most of us were really enjoying hiking in a moon-lit forest at night.
- I met a young surgeon from England, named Steve, who is on his way to Sierra Leonne. Steve has cousins in Vancouver and it turned-out that I've visited their home, know his cousin Paul S. from my triathlon world, and went to his cousin's Karin's wedding several years ago.
- During a discussion about Cholera a German doctor stressed that before moving a body to the morgue to make certain that the person is really dead.
- Two Africans attending the course had both studied in London. One went on a scholarship and the other paid his own way. When asked what his father did for work so that he could afford to send him his reply was "he's a politician."
- There were four financial people attending the course and all were from North America. Apparently this is quite common for MSF.
- The neighboring forest reserve was a great place for running and I went out almost every day. This was my first regular exercise in over a year. It seemed that this course provided me with both an educational and physical workshop.
- I met Anne, a doctor from Scotland, who will be working at one of the field units in Scotland. It turns-out that our Head of Mission is also Scottish so Anne is already planning to include me in a Robbie Burns Day celebration. She said that she would look into getting tinned Haggis. I didn't know how to tell her that I'm not that Scottish.

The course itself was quite well done, relevant, and a lot more fun than expected. While we talked about a lot of health issues and other challenges we may face we didn't dwell on the negative aspects. I suspect that the reality is that there are some things that a course can't prepare you for.

I arrived in Amsterdam on Sunday, October 23rd for my Finance & Human Resources course and I will be here until Wednesday, November 2nd

Dinner in Amsterdam and with Lucy and Krista at PPD course in Bonn, Germany

Canada - A nice place to visit

My three-week stay in Canada is about to come to an end. It has been a hectic, but productive time and given me a great recharge before going away for another year. I've been able to select my certain-to-be-victorious hockey-pool team, inhaled two turkey dinners (not counting leftovers), suffered through a few runs and bike rides, and did some visiting. I was busier than I expected and wasn’t once able to sit through an entire hockey game on TV.

I spent about half of my time staying at my parent's place in Mission which was some-what entertaining. I felt a bit ridiculous asking to borrow the car. My mother not only requested the phone number of a friend’s place that I would be staying with in Vancouver, but she actually phoned. Upon my arrival I was informed that my mother had called. In her defence, there was a legitimate reason for calling as she was forwarding a message from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). I teased her about calling me and she joked back that she just wanted to make sure that I actually went to where I said I was going. Once a parent always a parent. On the positive side, it was nice to hear her call when dinner was ready.

Watching on TV and reading the news on Pakistan has been a bit surreal. MSF has quickly ramped-up its operations since the earthquake took place, sending 40 emergency personnel and planeloads of supplies. I don’t really know much more about the situation than what I’ve seen on the news and the internet. It is unbelievable what has happened and hard to believe that in three weeks time I’ll be arriving in Islamabad. With what’s going on in Pakistan I feel strange to be first attending orientation and training course. However, the reality is that without the training I’ll be getting in Amsterdam it would be difficult for me to quickly become a contributing member of the team.

My schedule for the next three weeks is as follows:
- October 13 – depart for Bonn, Germany (via London) for MSF orientation course;
- October 23 – depart for Amsterdam, Netherlands for MSF Financial and Human Res. course;
- November 2 – depart for Islamabad (via London).