Dazed and Confused.

Once again we were awoken at 0530 by the church bells. After a quick breakfast, we walked to the hospital. We left a little earlier and the streets were less crowded so we made good time helped out by convenient shortcut that Mary found yesterday. Because of this we arrived at 0645 and of course nobody was there for the 0700 report which they start the day with. Except for the 0700 start time the morning report would be a good addition to teaching in Canada as emergency cases done during the night and interesting cases for the upcoming day are discussed.

When Brady and I arrived yesterday, we were told that our licences hadn't been processed yet as we had to present our documents and there was a new form to fill out. We figured today that before laying a hand on any patient, we had better check. The lady who we would ask wasn't around so we figured we would take a look at the OR. After finding the change room, we wandered into the OR where we found the day's cases posted on the wall. Walking up and down the halls we couldn't see anybody we recognized as an anaesthesiologist although we did meet some techs. Nobody seemed in a big hurry. It kind off reminded me of the University Hospital.

The machines and monitors are quite new and up to North American standards. We were a little worried because we couldn't see a laryngoscope but one arrived "just in time".

We stuck around to watch the start of one case, a large abdominal tumour and then wandered down the hall to watch a tech skillfully do a spinal on one of the patients we had discussed at morning report. Then it was off to see if we actually had a license to practise. As it turned out we didn't. There were more forms to fill and more documents to produce. In addition I had stupidly not charged the phone and so I realized that Mary could be frantically calling me. Outside the hospital some entreneurs had set up a cell phone charging station so I paid 200 francs to charge my phone.

I could have been more upset, however I remembered all the hassles I have had getting licences in Canadian provinces and anyway why should we assume that we have the right to practise in any third world country? And the cool waters of the Serena Hotel were calling. Too bad I forgot my bathing suit. I don't think well at 0530.

After a while I was able to join Mary at the local market where she was getting a shirt custom made for me. There was a wealth of fruits and vegetables and some very pungent but not overpowering scents. We walked home after negotiating a beer in broken French at a grocer. Apparently if you don't drink the beer on site, it cost and extra 500 franc (almost $1) deposit in addition to the 600 francs for the beer.