Eric’s Blog

Semi-settled in Durban

I’ve arrived in Durban after countless obstacles including but not limited to snowstoms, missed connections, improperly rescheduled flights by United Airlines which forgot to inform South African Airlines of the changes, and a completely overlooked rescheduling of a connection from Johannesburg to Durban once again by United Airlines.  I finally arrived 28 hours after departing Columbus.  After months of 20 degree weather in Columbus, the warm, humid South African air was a refreshing welcome. 

I’m staying at Doctors Quarters, a boarding house for medical students, interns, and residents who are fulfilling their work obligations at McCord hospital.  The room is a cozy studio bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen.  Everyone is very friendly and accommodating; I can tell it is going to be a great month.  The ‘house mother’ who runs the Doctors Quarters greets everyone with a charismatic smile and a warm hug.  A nice mother away from home.  I was also happy to hear there are 4 other students here from Michigan, Canada, England, as well as Ireland.   If our schedules align, we may try and work out a group safari through one of the game parks over the coming weeks.  I had a portion of my orientation today and attended an HIV pharmaceutical update as well as a morbidity and mortality meeting this morning.  Tomorrow will be a full day on the men’s medicine ward, where I will be working for the remainder of the month. 

Excited to get this month underway!