Doctor D. Down Under

Kia Ora! A devoted reader has requested that I allot some time to talking about New Zealand food and language.  New Zealand food is not that different from food in the U.S.A.  (Vegans: don't listen to this). They have excellent beef and lamb, but I haven't found that it is cheaper than that which we buy.   They also sell mutton, but I haven't seen it in the local grocery.   There are sausage rolls and little meat pies that people can pick up from a BP or other cafe for a casual snack, breakfast, or lunch.  I haven't seen any fried Twinkies. In the grocery, one might see "Vegemite" or "Marmite," which I think, may be a UK spread derived from yeast extract, and served on bread or toast.  I haven't been brave enough to try it, but one patient I saw today loves it.  I've seen it described as molasses colored or thick paste, and very salty. In certain restaurants you can do "take away" or take out food, whether Asian, Indian, ...

Haere mai! (Welcome) Have driven down to Wellington, the Capitol of New Zealand,  Nov. 2, 2019.  It is 3 hours south of Taihape, so took a little lunch break halfway.  Gas is about $2.11 NZ dollars per liter (about $5  per gallon), but fortunately, my little blue Ford Focus is fuel efficient. Wellington is nestled up to the ocean, and the most southern city of the North Island, with ferries leaving for the South Island regularly. I did a LOT of walking here, going to the Te Papa Museum, which has New Zealand Art, and a display of the battle of Gallipoli, in which New Zealand fought with the English against the Turks during WWI. There are these huge statues created by WETA Workshop (did figures for "Lord of the Rings," and depict soldiers who fought in the war, or attended the casualties, like this doctor here. Lady Chapel Wellington Anglican Cathedral Walked to the Anglican cathedral, which actually still has services, though many of the church...

replica of Maori meeting house at Taupo Museum Tena koutou!  Which is Maori for hello to 3 or more people, Monday is my day off,  so I am catching up with this blog.  I am now starting my 3rd week in New Zealand.  I have had mixed emotions of terror and awe, homesickness, and delight. Orientation at the clinic was fast and ongoing.  The nurses are very competent and helpful, as are the ancillary staff.  Patients usually come in by appointment, but walk-ins are not uncommon.  We are about an hour from the nearest hospital; usually nurses/physicians manage uncomplicated fractures, wounds, asthma attacks, and stabilize people with chest pain or allergic reactions until the ambulance arrives.  The first day I worked here there were at least 4 ambulance calls (also involving 1 asthmatic 2 year old from a neighboring clinic who had to go by helicopter.  Weather was so bad the helicopter had to land and allow an ambulance to finish the journ...

 A replica of a Maori meeting house at the Museum of Taupo Kia Ora from New Zealand! I am writing on Sept. 22, 2019 from North Island, the small town of Taihape.  If you are interested in receiving this post, tune in once a week.  Otherwise you can just cancel out.  Doing a Blog is a totally new experience for me, but I felt it might be the best way to communicate with a number of friends and family. I left Evanston on Sept. 18, Peter's birthday, and flew New Zealand Airlines direct from Chicago to Auckland.  Auckland is the most populous city in NZ, I have discovered, since half the population lives there. In continuing my locum tenens experience begun 4 years ago, I accepted a 3 month position as a physician with the Taihape Health Limited, a clinic in Taihape.  I have been excited about the prospect of learning about another country's medical system, and also, of course, excited about the prospect of traveling around this wonderful country....