Greetings from the desert!!! I had a great walk around the neighborhood this morning. A gentle breeze shifted the warm around, giving a cooling effect. The sun was rising beyond the rocky peak. A few other men were out leisurely strolling to unknown destinations. An occasional bird announced its presence. Cars rumbled along the border roads occasionally, but for the most part I enjoyed the quiet. I returned home to my morning duo of iced water and hot coffee. My ‘lounge chair’ awaited my presence for a time to read and to think. Every day it is my custom to set aside some time where the busyness of the day’s events cannot enter. This time allows my remaining day to flow much better. When I face a particularly challenging day, rather than omit this time and start work earlier I often arise earlier and add time on this end. This habit is one method I alluded to earlier as “Filling my tank.” For you it may be another method or practice. For many, I am sure, my early morning routines are crazy; for you, early morning is meant for sleeping. Read the rest of this entry »

Good morning from the Desert. The sun continues to shine and the temperatures rise. Summer is coming. June is here; July is coming. Air-conditioning chases away the stuffy air in our front room, allowing me to enjoy the morning quiet with a cup of coffee. Outside, as the sun raises the temperatures, I find less time available to sit in comfort. What was it like not so long ago when there was no air conditioning here for people living in tents? Some houses developed a wind-tunnel-like cooling system, trapping the breezes from the roof and bringing them into their homes. I guess acclimation is the key; the longer you live and remain in a certain type of environment, the better your body adapts. We learned to live easily at 7,000 ft. of elevation with the thin air. We will learn to survive in the strong heat of the desert. Read the rest of this entry »

Good morning from the desert! I awoke early to wander out to my ‘man cave’ for coffee. Even though the sun was not up, the temperatures had not cooled down dramatically overnight. A gentle breeze stirred the air as I sipped and thought. Summer is approaching. Daytime hot winds stir up the air but fail to cool you off. The strong sun, undiminished by clouds, quickly heats exposed skin and challenges uncovered eyes. I imagine what life was like without the cool relief of air conditioning. Yikes!

I had the opportunity to attend a pediatric orthopedic conference in Dubai this week. This conference was the “First Annual” for the region and North Africa. The two-day conference was attended by many surgeons from the Gulf region and Egypt. Lecturers arrived from Canada, USA, Denmark, UK, and Finland. A wide range of topics was wedged into two long days. I enjoyed hearing the various talks and meeting different people during the breaks and lunch. Read the rest of this entry »

Am I not beautiful?

Greetings from the desert! Early morning is still a little cool, but the sun warms the air quickly. Spring passed by quickly as the trees dropped their leaves. Our first summer in Al Ain looms ahead. Stories of blistering heat are shared with us ‘newbies’ — I can hardly wait. I already think it is hot here.

Al Ain and all of the United Arab Emirates are a true international community. You see everyone, from the excessively wealthy to the simple worker just trying to survive. Besides these, all manner of people in between make this country their home. Change has come very rapidly to the UAE, starting first with the discovery of oil in the 60’s to forming the United Arab Emirates 40 years ago, and from there unbelievable growth and development. We have taken visitors to the national museum in Dubai a few times and are still amazed at the documented changes. Dubai has morphed from a few thousands of people huddled along the Gulf to a growing city of millions with skyscrapers, monorails, megamalls (with musical fountains, indoor skiing on manmade snow, and high-end shops), fancy cars, and a frenzied pace of life. Could you imagine living through these changes? Read the rest of this entry »

Good morning!!  I made my coffee, opened the door, and went to descend the steps into my ‘Man Cave’ when I had second thoughts.  Yesterday the winds built to a fury force, lifting up the loose sand and turning the sky a dull brown.  Sand storm.  Although I was safely hidden in my small exam room, patients and staff shared the news.  Opening the hospital door to the outside, my face immediately felt the effects of the storm.  The view was not quite the equivalent of the new “Mission Impossible” film but still impressive.  This morning the winds have died down substantially, but there is still enough sand in the air for me to decide I would prefer my coffee without sand today, thank you.  As it is, I am still rubbing sand out of my eyes, ears, and scalp from the walk home. Read the rest of this entry »