Bowling Fun

Part of the bowling crew. Dr. Veokham throws the first bowling ball of his lifetime while Dr. Sisomphone looks on in her bowling skirt.

There was a fair amount of anxiety in the air in April as the end of the academic year was drawing near. The current residents were anxious about their final exam; the new residents are anxious about orientation and starting the program; and I was anxious as to whether any of it would actually happen. Thankfully, however, things seemed to have gone well and we are set to begin a new academic year on a positive note. To celebrate, I decided we should turn Thursday night lecture into a bowling extravaganza. It was a great night of laughter and cheer. For most, it was the first time they had ever bowled and the different bowling styles were quite amusing. It was good to see everyone having a good time and experience something new. They all seemed to be truly appreciative of the outing and I think it was money well spent, even if some of the first-timers did out bowl me

And, yes I did give it a try myself.
.

Queens Day Football Tournament

Australia vs. Multinational Team


Netherlands vs. England


Sweden vs. Vientiane International

One of the things I enjoy about living in Vientiane is the interaction with the expatriate community. People from a wide variety of countries live and work together and I enjoy learning more about their countries and cultures through them. My knowledge of Australia has increased significantly through my interactions with friends here as well as listening to the Australian Broadcasting Channel. Like today is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand to honor war veterans. Today, I was asked to help with the first aid tent at the Dutch Queen's Day football tournament held at the Vientiane International School. Teams from the Netherlands, Sweden, France, England, Australia and a hodge-podge interanational team took on a few local Lao teams. It was quite entertaining. Of course, the whole time I was hoping there would be no serious injuries since for all my medical training, I don't have a lot or practical skills for things like sports related injuries. Thankfully, I just had a few superficial abrasions to clean. I enjoyed watching the soccer and wonder why America doesn't adopt this sport. It just seems so much more entertaining, safer and requires less equipment than American footbal.

Lane Xang Bug

So I came out of my gate the other day to find the partner VW bug to the Lane Xang scooter. It certainly is eye catching, but I still strongly dislike the idea of advertising alcohol on motor vehicles.

Beer Lao Scooter

What is wrong with this picture? At the recent elephant festival, we found the Beer Lao booth promoting their special festival brand beer--Lane Xang (Million Elephants--name of the former Kingdom in what is present-day Laos). They were having a raffle and it looked like the grand prize was this Lane Xang Beer scooter. Alcohol plays a large role in the Lao culture and being unable to perform emergency surgery because you are drunk or driving while intoxicated is not shameful or unaccepted. During Jon and Rose's visit, Jon gave an excellent grand rounds about the physical and societal effects of alcohol including trauma, fetal alcohol syndrome and professionalism in the medical community. I have found myself in some uncomfortable and unsafe situations due to the lack of societal understanding of drunk driving. I once was riding with someone I thought had drank more than he should have and listened as he told me about his long time physician friend who had died in an alcohol-related crash that week. There seemed to be no understanding that this could happen to him (or innocent others), too.

I have noticed some signs around town placed by the Beer Lao company discussing responsible use of alcohol, but they are not wide-spread and I doubt they are effective. The government has a significant financial stake in Beer Lao which is a conflict for public health issues. The no smoking campaigns have taken off in the hospitals. We will see how long it takes for responsible use of alcohol to be aggressively promoted.

Reanimation Unit

Entrance to the adult intensive care unit at Mahosot hospital. Somehow I suspect the outcomes aren't as good as this sign makes it sound. Animation is a pretty complex task that is not easily re-done.

It's a bird; It's a plane; It's SuperMom!

I have to admit I was a little nervous about my mom coming to SE Asia for a month for her first real travel in the developing world. How would she do with the food, accomodations, heat, TOILETS? Well, I was very impressed with how well she did. It seemed that everywhere we went there were tall steps, hills, boats or other general obstacles and she did quite well. Other than the heat stroke I almost induced for her walking from the few blocks between the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, there were no major catastrophes. I think she is an adventure traveler at heart, but just didn't know it before. Way to go, Mom!

Residents just wanna have fun

Dr. Xaykesone (2nd year, Chief resident) and Interns Drs. Chilapah, Kongpath, Panivone (back) , Sisomphone and Phonepaedith take a break from dancing.



One thing that I am adjusting to about the Lao culture is there is always an opportunity for a celebration. A bacci for a new house, welcome home, farewell, etc. Even weddings which are common times of celebrations around the world, get celebrated with more enthusiasm here. Nothing like throwing a party for you and your 1000 closest friends. Not only are your friends and family invited but the friends, coworkers and other random people your parents and grandparents know. So it was for the wedding party I went to last week with the residents. The groom was the son of one of the leaders and "founding fathers" of the internal medicine residency program. None of us knew the bride or the groom, but the majority of the IM residents and teachers came for the night of dinner and dancing. Although a very different style of dancing than anything I have previously experienced, it is kind of fun in its own slow, hands off way. I have also recently discovered the passion the Lao have for line dancing. Who would have guessed? The residents said they will teach me the various dances before Lao New Year so that I can fit it. I also need to get some fancier clothing and less sensible shoes to really fit in. I will choose to not fit in when it comes to drinking too much and then driving home. It is hard work to keep the glass from getting filled with alcohol but I am learning little tricks along the way. Unfortunately I will be on vacation for the next wedding which is for someone I actually know, but I am sure there will be many more occasions to celebrate.