Dispatch From Shanghai
CHINA | Saturday, 29 September 2007 | Views [264]
It is hard to believe that I have been in Shanghai for 4 weeks. So
much has been compressed into such an abbreviated period of time, but I
guess that should come as no surprise in a city that packs so much into
such a small space.
My clinical rotations were busy and informative. I saw a wide variety
of conditions, and on most weeks we saw multiple doctors which helped
to keep things fresh. For the most part our translators were excellent.
The lectures in the afternoon were a little hit-or-miss, but on the
whole very good. We had an excellent lecture/demo on Tui-Na during the
second week that was a nice change of pace from the less interactive
lectures.
Our evenings and weekends were filled with the sights, sounds and
flavors of Shanghai. There is an amazing variety of food to be had in
this city, with an equally wide range of prices. Our hotel was located
in an area that has a mix of higher priced European style restaurants
and smaller, dirtier, cheaper and in many cases tastier local
restaurants. So far most of us have suffered only mild GI upset, with
only one case of moderate traveler’s diarrhea, which responded well to
herbs and probiotics within about 12 hours.
Many of my classmates have been enjoying the Women’s World Cup Soccer
tournament which has been taking place all month here in Shanghai and
throughout China. Several students will be attending the finals this
weekend. Other activities have included trips to neighboring towns, the
Shanghai acrobats, touring ancient gardens, museums, buying clothing,
buying clothing, and buying clothing. I think the fabric market, where
you can get custom tailored items for great prices, has been the most
popular spot for our group, with most students making weekly trips.
Now that the clinical shifts are officially over, I am off to see Asia.
I will be in Shanghai just a few more days. On Tuesday the 2nd, eight
of us will board a train to Lhasa Tibet. It will take us just over 2
days to get there. After a week in Tibet, I am going to Beijing for
three days to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Then it is off
to Ko Chang in Thailand for some much needed R&R. If all goes as
planed I will recharge on the beach for about 2 weeks, before returning
to Seattle sometime around November 1st.
Tags: Adventures
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