Everyone Loves the Animals! May 31, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Animals, Humour, India.2 comments
I noticed that someone searching for "how do mother weasels lay their eggs?" got directed to my site by a [terrible] search engine's calculations. I'm sorry, the answer wasn't here already, but I will give it to you now: sadly, mother weasels do not lay eggs at all. They are mammals, and therefore carry their young inside of them until they are well-developed and are ready to be born.
Because many people coming to this site are seeking information about the animals of the Himalayas, I'm trying my best to accomodate those intersts. It's just demand and supply logistics. That, and it isn't too cerebrally taxing to deliver something on the subject.
Here's a WWF video about the wetlands of Ladakh and the struggle to protect the endangered Black Necked Cranes. There is some insight into life and culture in the area as well as the problems arising from an influx of tourists. I especially enjoyed where the speaker makes the link between spiritual leaders and conservation efforts. The success of the project is documented and in February, six new wetlands were set for conservation.
Kudos to:
erm . . . why am I always getting the wrong images? That's a very confused panda!
Just for fun, here is WWF's (actual) logo evolution – no confused pandas in the lot, although I think today's panda may be distraught that they've taken away his or her claws:
I think I just violated their Copyright, Trademark, Reserverd, Registered, and all other intellectual property markers. But hey, it's the Internet! That makes me invincible!
Okay, I really must stop this and get back to studying. Only 37 hours until my Histology and Anatomy exams.
Climbing Mount Everest etc: Video Update May 30, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Himalayas, Humour.add a comment
YouTube Clips:
Climbing Mount Everest is not something I'll be doing. Not even as far as he base camp. I'll have cuts and scrapes, high blood pressure, diarrhea, tuberculosis, and other fun things to keep me busy; I'm actually really looking forward to it. And I may have a blind climber to take care of. Watch this smooth newscaster slip, as she seems to emphasize that being homosexual is an impediment to climbing 29,028 ft, whoops!
Watch a panoramic view from the top or a shaky, techno-themed motorbike ride from Manali to Leh ("It's the time to disco!"). If you are in to fun dance scenes, the song "Lightening Crashes" by Live, and quotes meant to inspire you to take a journey, then this one is for you.Here's a long video with a gentle and sentimental soundtrack, guiding you grainily through Sagarmatha National Park for a trek in the Himalayas.
Films:
Some amazing films have come out of Ladakh, Nepal, and other areas in the Himalayas recently. Samsara (Ladakh) is just one that seems to be often unavailable my local (specialty) video shop. The Nepalese film industry, 'Kollywood,' has been very active lately, but I'm hard-pressed to find a list of top 10 Nepali films (non-documentary) or anything like it. Many documentaries about the history, geography, and culture of Nepal are listed at Cornell Library.Try Elsewhere for a four- hour (!) exploration of 12 natural, "untouched" places. Apparently a part of Ladakh is among the twelve. Internet Movie DataBase allows its visitors to browse by production country. This is a great tool if you are interested in anywhere in particular. I searched by Language and found that Raiders Of the Lost Ark – yes, the 1981 Indiana Jones classic – has portions of Nepali in it.
The Quest for Flying Money May 28, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Fundraising, Humour, Medical School, Travel.2 comments
Given how expensive it is to get to India from Vancouver, do a medical trek there for three weeks, fly to Nepal, etc. I need to earn some money.
A short-term job offer fell into my lap. The Department of Family Practice – part of UBC's Medical school – was looking for someone to do web design and some other document development. The purpose is to improve the training resources for GPs who act as preceptors to medical students; perhaps they are hoping to standardize our practicum experiences? One idea is to include streaming video of Doctor-Student-Patient interactions that could act as models to guide preceptor activity. I have a fair bit of experience in simple web development, graphic design, photography, and I can usually figure new things (like video?) out quickly. Being a student representative to the Full-Faculty Committee gives me bonus points for being interested in faculty development.
The interview is on Thursday, right after my Histology and Anatomy lab exams. I hope I don't reek of formaldehyde! Fingers-crossed that this goes well, because I could really use the 15 hrs/week x 4 weeks of work in June to cover half of my flight.
Yes, I could really use the flying money.
(except, I think I'd be paid in Canadian, if I get the job!)
Kathmandu, Here I Come?! May 27, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Fundraising, Healthcare, Himalayas, Medicine, Nepal, Travel, Volunteering.add a comment
Given the relative stability of Nepal right now, the ceasefire, the country's overwhelming medical need, and my intense desire, I'm 99% sure I'll be going there after my medical trek in Northern India.I have been corresponding with a group called "The Community Upliftment Society of Nepal" (CUS-Nepal) and they will be arranging a post for me in a rural clinic in the Kathmandu Valley for approximately August 6th to August 19th.
As soon as they get back to me with the latest details, I'll be in a position to book my DEL–>KTM–>DEL flight and will have almost 'all of my ducks in a row.'The expense includes the flight ($250), the Nepali visa ($30, but already sponsored by a donation), and the program fee ($250 for two weeks, which covers administration, training, and room & board with a local family). This is where most of the medical supplies I am collecting will go. I feel that my skills – which should be that point, quite developed for the context and honed by my experiences in Northern India - will be especially valuable, given the extreme physician shortage I've mentioned before. I'll help see 30-50 patients a day, for 6 days of the week.
I had some unusual questions for the organizer, and I'd like to share a few here:
Q) I am a vegetarian; will the meals provided by the family I stay with contain meat?
A) If you are a vegetarian then host family won't offer you any non vege food. Its quiet rare in rural location they eat meat once or twice a month in special occasion.Q) I have been trying to make myself aware of the current political climate in Nepal. It is my understanding that the violence has not really impacted travellers significantly, but that 'inconveniences' like road blocks and disrupted telephone service can be expected. Is this an accurate reflection of your experience?
A) You are right! the current political unrest does not harm travellers, foreigners, volunteers, aid worker ect. Most of the strike, blockade organizers announce their upcoming activities for few weeks earlier in advance. So people have to get caution for the specific date for not arranging long journey, shopping etc. In touristy areas and services, Nepal Tourism Board arrange transportation airport to major destinations. Due to the political parties and Maoist insurgency there was no Telephone disrupted except in so called their strong hold areas. But the government is further than rebels and parties to disrupt telephone, it was bitter experience there were two times telephone disconnected during royal regime take over power and the anniversary of his of steps. [*NB: This was before the April protests]Q) Regarding the proof of medical student status, do I just bring that along with me to the clinic everyday?
A) Some times people from Nepal Medical Board come to observe community clinics so they may ask interns and volunteer status. If you produce your credential then it would be easier to let them know.
Whoops!? Where’d that liver go? May 25, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Culture, Ethics, Healthcare, Humour, Medical School, Medicine.4 comments
Whenever I think of differences in medical education around the world, I usually consider how privileged my university is compared to institutions in the developing world. We have lots of computer, very experienced and internationally acclaimed faculty, amazing lab equipment, online textbooks and an excellent cadaver lab. Where electricity, refrigeration, Internet access, and funding are lacking these tools cannot be used. And yet, schools without these tools produce fully competent and creative physicians.
Where resources are scarce, it is understandable that the latest and greatest in high-tech treatments is not taught. However, a thorough understanding of human anatomy has been key to every medical student since the first frog-dissection or similar. Books like Gray's Anatomy, that have been enhancing our understanding since 1858, have given us ample reference for consideration of the structures that form the human body.
The basic sciences are very important to health care practitioners. Lately, there has been a trend towards the inclusion of social sciences in every physician's training. Cultural sensitivity, communications skills, ethics, and so on are all crucial building blocks for "good" modern practice. However, due to the finite nature of time, there comes a point in the balancing of social vs. science courses at which the latter is overwhelmed. Take the following case as an example.The Globe and Mail published the following [in their Social Studies section, Monday, May 15, 2006, Page A14]:
Name that organ
"Teaching of basic anatomy in Australia's medical schools is so inadequate that students are increasingly unable to locate important body parts," reports The Australian newspaper. "Senior doctors claim teaching hours for anatomy have been slashed by 80 per cent in some medical schools to make way for 'touchy-feely' subjects such as 'cultural sensitivity,' communication and ethics. . . . Several senior consultants have told The Weekend Australian they have been 'horrified' to encounter final-year medical students who do not know where the prostate gland is, or what a healthy liver feels like. When asked by a cardiac surgeon during a live operation to identify a part of the heart that he was pointing to, one group of final-year students thought it was the patient's liver."
—
Honestly? How can someone get through 4+ years of medical post-secondary/post-graduate education and not know where the prostate or liver are? Most non-medical students probably know the answers. Yes, that makes me trust my surgeon. Thank the maker that my school has a good balance of 'touchy-feely' and 'get your elbows into the guts or memorize-that-drug' courses.
Now, off I go to complain about memorizing drugs. Shut up.
To the Top of the World May 22, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Assorted Links, Culture, Fundraising, Health Care Blogs, Medical School, Medicine, Nepal, News, Travel, Volunteering.1 comment so far
Richard Murray, one half of the couple who are loaning me their big yellow backpack, has written an article about my upcoming journey for Beyond Robson, a Vancouver culture blog.
The article, entitled "To the Top of the World," emphasizes the importance of rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty in order to make things happen; I like that it includes my views on participating in a sustainable aid effort and acknowledges the extreme need for healthcare all over the world.
For more of Richard's articles, see his blog The Bankrupt Artist or his work as a Music Writer for Cord Magazine.
Nepal’s King: Nearly Toast May 19, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Culture, Himalayas, Nepal, News.1 comment so far
The latest in a series of whirlwind developments in
Nepal has come to pass, much to the excitement of many of those protesting in recent weeks. The formerly Hindu kingdom will become a secular state.According to a slightly (okay, very) one-sided article in the India Times, most of the king's privileges have been revoked. In attempts to reduce him to mere figurehead status, the new government has dissolved Nepal's privy council, cut King Gyanendra's power over the army (renamed from "the Royal Nepalese Army" to "the Nepali Army"), and renamed themselves "Nepal Government" instead of "His Majesty’s Government." They will also force the king to pay tax on his lands, select his heir, decrease his allowance, and revoke his legal immunity. Even the national anthem is undergoing revisions to reflect the current state of the country.
I say this is a very one-sided article because of the following line: "[The king's support base includes illiterate villagers obeying him blindly due to the carefully cultivated belief that he is an incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu" (emphasis added to indicate blatant bias). I don't know very much about the king's supporters, but this kind of gross generalization is probably not appropriate.
Ooohhhhh! May 18, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Assorted Links, Culture, Humour, India, Medical School, Nepal, Travel.add a comment
I got a very kind e-mail today regarding the possibility of a piece in a Vancouver culture blog that will chronicle the journeys of Nico and Richard's big Yellow Backpack; they are graciously loaning it to me for the upcoming trek and I can't wait to stuff it full of bandaids, clean underwear, my stethoscope, and other necessities. Stay tuned!
Because I am lazy and terribly preoccupied with school, that's all you get today. Well, okay, just a few links:
Ladakh – The Land of Many Passes is a site containing a vast collection of cultural information great for someone intending on visiting in the near future. Did you know that archery is a very popular sport there? Ice hockey is also taking off – according to this site, tins are flattened and attached to the soles of shoes to substitute for skates. Too bad I won't be there in the winter season to show off my Canadian moves. I've played ice-hockey off and on for the last 16 years but I don't know if I could ever master the tin-can skate.
If you are in BC and interested in Nepali Culture, you may want to become a part of the Nepal Cultural Society of BC.
The International Health Opportunities Directory is a good starting point if you are looking for overseas medical elective or volunteering positions.
And finally, for a laugh, check out The Four Essential Travel Phrases, a site that translates the following four phrases into 366 languages, 96 dialects, and 32 conlangs (what are those?!):
- Where is my room?
- Where is the beach?
- Where is the bar?
- Don't touch me there!
I hope not to need to know any of those (p.s. my room will be a tent for most of the trek)! Here is how it looks in Nepali anyway:
Shopping List for my Himalayan Medical Trek May 17, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Medicine.1 comment so far
After i write my medical exams (done on June 7th!), I can focus on getting things together for this trip. I have quite a few things to buy, borrow, or collect in order to make this trip work. Here's what I think I am lacking, so far:
Paperwork/Reservations/Currency:
- US dollars (because they'll be much easier to convert than Canadian)
- a hotel/hostel for the nights when I arrive and leave Delhi
- a return flight between Delhi and Kathmandu
- travel insurance
- photocopies of important documents (like my passport) and extra passport photos (may be required for the Nepalese visa)
- photocopies of pages from Ladakhi language books
Clothing:
- a long skirt (for cultural reasons)
- linen pants
Medical/Clinic Supplies:
- batteries for my flashlight
- A.S.A.
- antibiotic cream (like Polysporin)
- a ~12L shoulder bag to carry my stethoscope, diagnostic kit, gloves, and some basic medical supplies
- a small notebook
- latex gloves
- alcohol hand-sanitizer
Hiking Gear:
- thermarest
- sleeping bag rated for -15 to -10 Celsius
- size 9 women's hiking boots
- water purification tablets (just in case)
Other:
- simple non-perishable snacks
- Compact Flash card for my camera
- Ziploc bags, garbage bags
Sleep May 15, 2006
Posted by jaotte in Himalayas, Humour, Medical School, Travel.add a comment
This past year of medical school involved a lot of late nights and even more early mornings. I anticipate my lack of sleep will only grow with time, especially when it's time for clerkship in third year. One thing I was really looking forward to for my summer trek was the likelihood of a sensible "early to bed, early to rise" policy. I don't know if this Himalayan adventure will be like any camping expedition I've been on before, but the norm is usually to operate with the sun. Get up when it's light. Sleep when it's dark, after struggling into your sleeping bag with the aid of a dying flashlight. Learning more about the details of the medical trek has recently put it into my head that I won't get off to a good start in terms of sleep. . .
I arrive in Delhi at 17:30 on a Monday and will get a hotel room near the airport so I can rest up. I expect to be quite lagged from my journey and who knows what time my body will think it is, coming from Vancouver, adapting to London for a few days, and then being thrust into the heat and time-difference of India. Sleep will be important because the rapid (airplane) assent to Leh will start at 05:30 on the Tuesday.
I'm the kind of person who doesn't mind curling up in a ball in the corner of an airport, falling asleep to the hum of a nearby vending machine and the sound of airline announcements, but peers have recommended against trying this in Delhi. Anyway, I hope to get the shuttle from the international airport to a crappy hotel, return at about 02:30, walk to the Radisson hotel between terminals [map yet to be provided], meet my team at the 24 hr cafe for 03:00, saddle up, and head to domestic departures for the excitement of Leh.
So the beginning of the trip might be a little jet-lagged/sleep-deprived/altitude-sick/culture-shocked but I originally imagined that we'd take it easy and get into a new rhythm – early to bed and early to rise, perhaps? – as we traveled higher into the mountains and started seeing patients. However, I just got an e-mail from one of the organizers asking if someone will be bringing their laptop and a projector, as one of the teaching sessions is to involve a PowerPoint presentation. Silly me for thinking my luxury item (iPod) would be totally out of place while we 'roughed it' in tents and set up clinics in monasteries to treat nomads. I get the impression that natural light cycles won't dictate our schedules. It may be hard to remember just how quickly morning comes and to convince my tent-mate that it's in our best interests to hit the hay before we are disabled by yawns.
