So the conversation yesterday went something like this:
My Consultant (MC): So, why did you choose this part of Ireland?
Me: Because I miss the great outdoors and as far as I can reckon this is the best part of Ireland for hiking, biking, swimming, surfing, walking, climbing...
MC: My wife is part of this walking group that meets every Tuesday, you should go with them sometime. It'd be a great way to explore the area and find walks* that would never be on a tourist map.
Me: Yeah, that'd be great. I'd definitely like to do that... [In my head adding...in a few weeks when I am settled].
--Fast forward several hours. I am sitting in our video conference on anesthetic assessments and my mobile rings, I am not going to take it and then I see that it is MC calling. YIKES! So I grab it and run out of the conference.--
MC: Ok so my wife is going to be wearing a pink NIKE hat, driving a silver VW. She'll meet you at the Windmill parking lot at 1820h, do you have a pen? here is her number...
And so it was.
I know, I know. It sounds like a ridiculously gunner move but honestly, I thought it was really nice of him to set it up for me and I didn't want to seem like some outdoorsy blowhard who is all talk and no action. Also, was it a test?? I really don't think so, but I thought on my first day I did not want to seem like a flake. So I went.
And it was wonderful. Aside from the ring of geriatrico-hiking-psychos that cornered me at the beginning and created a chorus of 'tut tut's' over my footwear (runners). There were about 10 of them that surrounded me and started chastising me for my poor ankle support, lack of foresight, poor decisions...I offered to hitch a ride back to town when MC's wife piped up in my defense, "But she climbed Carrauntoohill last year in them and was fine!!" They finally dispersed with a collective head-shake and we were off!
I couldn't take any photos from the top because it was almost dark so we were busy trying to get down as fast as possible. Yes, the sneaks held up and I made it out in one piece despite my "complete lack of ankle support!"
And thus concluded my first day of clinical rotations. Hope I didn't peak too soon!! Heh.
*When people use the word "walking" here they often mean, "hiking". Turns out.
My Consultant (MC): So, why did you choose this part of Ireland?
Me: Because I miss the great outdoors and as far as I can reckon this is the best part of Ireland for hiking, biking, swimming, surfing, walking, climbing...
MC: My wife is part of this walking group that meets every Tuesday, you should go with them sometime. It'd be a great way to explore the area and find walks* that would never be on a tourist map.
Me: Yeah, that'd be great. I'd definitely like to do that... [In my head adding...in a few weeks when I am settled].
--Fast forward several hours. I am sitting in our video conference on anesthetic assessments and my mobile rings, I am not going to take it and then I see that it is MC calling. YIKES! So I grab it and run out of the conference.--
MC: Ok so my wife is going to be wearing a pink NIKE hat, driving a silver VW. She'll meet you at the Windmill parking lot at 1820h, do you have a pen? here is her number...
And so it was.
I know, I know. It sounds like a ridiculously gunner move but honestly, I thought it was really nice of him to set it up for me and I didn't want to seem like some outdoorsy blowhard who is all talk and no action. Also, was it a test?? I really don't think so, but I thought on my first day I did not want to seem like a flake. So I went.
And it was wonderful. Aside from the ring of geriatrico-hiking-psychos that cornered me at the beginning and created a chorus of 'tut tut's' over my footwear (runners). There were about 10 of them that surrounded me and started chastising me for my poor ankle support, lack of foresight, poor decisions...I offered to hitch a ride back to town when MC's wife piped up in my defense, "But she climbed Carrauntoohill last year in them and was fine!!" They finally dispersed with a collective head-shake and we were off!
 |
| We went to the peak on hikers right, just above the head of the lady in the foreground |
 |
| Possibly the clearest night I've seen in Ireland. About 1/2 way up. |
 |
| All retracting and no play...? NO WAY! |
And thus concluded my first day of clinical rotations. Hope I didn't peak too soon!! Heh.
*When people use the word "walking" here they often mean, "hiking". Turns out.
8 comments:
I had a GI surgery consultant invite me to his chalet in Switzerland. I couldn't take that week off because I had a Paeds eval...bummer. Surgeons in the old world can actually be nice people...shocking but true.
That's awesome! What time does the sun set around there these days?
Great pictures- that looks like an amazing "walk"!
Not gunner, AWESOME! I'm so glad you're rotating such a great person.
I go cycling with some of the attendings at work and love that I am finally getting fit again. With my long hours I don't think I would have found time to do it on my own without encouragement & permission to break from work!
JEALOUS!
Wow. And they even "gave you a ride".
That sounds fun! And hey, as long as you didn't stalk him beforehand and see that his wife did this walking thing...
Yeah, I'd never thought of it before, but I guess not everyone considers "walking" to be "hiking", huh?
Sounds like you made a good connection, go you!
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