Getting Ready

I have not yet actually started to pack, but this week I have been actively getting things organized and sorted out. There's a fair amount to arrange to ensure both a smooth trip and a seamless absence: paying bills in advance, registering the trip with the state department, stocking up on supplies, assembling the proper adaptors, etc., for all electronics, sending stuff to the dry cleaners, loading up my Kindle (I really don't want to run out of stuff to read), calling credit card companies so they don't get suspicious about foreign charges and shut me off, and a whole checklist of other similar tasks.

Luckily, while I'm gone, my beloved and trusty assistant, John, will be here overseeing the house and taking care of my beloved and not-so-trusty feline, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Elvira already knows something is up...she's been exceptionally chatty and affectionate lately (she's also obsessed with a cardboard packing box...see above). Whenever I return home from being gone for more than a day, we go through the same routine: first, Elvira gives me the cold shoulder for a while, then she chatters at me in a very scolding tone, then she refuses to be more than 4-5 inches away from me for about 24 hrs. Although Elvira is merely friendly with John when I'm here, when I'm away, she's his BFF. John has informed me that when I finally return from being gone for four whole weeks, Elvira is going to have a small suitcase packed so that she can leave with him.

Advice

I've been soliciting advice for the trip from both former ASG and ABC fellows (names in bold), and from some of my other well-traveled friends. Here's what everyone has to say:



1. Bring less clothing than you think you need-Bill.

2. Prepare a few slides about Omaha...the hosts are curious about where you come from-Ross.

(Done..and it was a lot of fun to prepare).

3. Bring less clothing than you think you need-Steve.

4. Use packing cubes- Peggy.










(I had never heard of these before Peg mentioned them, but I bought some, and used them on my recent trip to New Orleans...love them!)





5. Bring less clothing than you think you need-Ross.


6. Be careful about your cell plan...make sure you understand how much the minutes are costing-Bob. (I bought a prepaid phone and am also learning to Skype).


7. If someone asks you what you want to do, ask for free time-Steve.


8. Bring small Nebraska themed gifts for your hosts- Jill. (I never would have thought of this...I'm working on it, but I don't want to carry anything that will take up too much space).


9. Bring less clothing than you think you need-Bob.


10. You can get laundry done, but it might be easier just to throw your underwear out and buy new-Ross. (Interesting theory).


11. Bring only one pair of shoes-Paul. (This is Paul's strategy for all travel).


12. If someone asks what you want to do, ask for free time-Ross.


Have you noticed a theme? I think I'll be able to pare my wardrobe down pretty efficiently (I have a plan involving all black and white pieces), but anyone who knows me will realize that only one pair of shoes is simply out of the question.

Hopes & Dreams

Aside from the obvious: learning new orthopaedic techniques, networking with other orthopaedic surgeons, improving my teaching skills, practicing my German, and re-energizing myself and my love for my profession, I have a series of "hopes & dreams" for my trip. You will notice that many of them revolve around food.


1. Drink Eiswein (Ice Wine).


2. Go to the opera in Vienna.


3. Go to the symphony in Berlin.


4. Buy Steiff teddy bear keychains for Eli and JoJo.


5. Complete my Rosenthal coffee cup set.


6. Ditto for John's espresso cup set.


7. Try at least 3 new flavors of gummi candy (the old town in Heidelberg has 2 stores selling nothing but gummis).


8. Visit Dachau.


9. Re-connect with some of my old friends from Salzburg: Udo, Eva, Michael & Heide, and Gerfried.


10. Spend time with my dear friend Alex and her family in Heidelberg.


11. Give myself "carbs amnesty" and eat fresh bread, pastry, and potatoes every day.


12. Take the "Gustav Klimt" walk through Vienna.


13. Buy Mozartkugeln ("Mozart Balls"...chocolate/hazelnut candy sold all over Salzburg...and yes, the name always makes people giggle).


14. Have a "Bosna" for lunch (Austria's version of a NYC dirty-water hot-dog bought from a street-cart...but I've never found the exact equivalent here in the US).





I don't know how much of this I'll be able to accomplish, but I have the feeling I'll need to
hit the gym extra hard when I return.

Abenteuer in Deutschland (und Oesterreich und Der Schweiz)

When I took German in school, we had a textbook entitled "Abenteuer in Deutschland" which translates to "Adventure in Germany". In one week, I will be departing on my very own adventure in Germany (and Austria and Switzerland): the American Orthopaedic Association Austrian-Swiss-German Traveling Fellowship. The ASG is an exchange in which in even years, two American, a Canadian, and a British orthopaedic surgeon travel to Europe, while in odd years two German, an Austrian, and a Swiss orthopaedist travel to North America.

This year, things are slightly different: the Canadians have elected not to send anyone, and my American counterpart, SS, will be participating in the second half of the trip only. I have not yet met the British fellow, RT. While on the month-long trip, we will visit nine cities in Germany, two in Austria, and one in Switzerland, culminating in participating in the Southern German Orthopaedic Congress Meeting in Baden Baden. At each 2-3 day stop, we will give lectures (on our own research or on selected topics in which we have expertise...my 7 talks are a combination), observe in the operating rooms and clinics, and usually, do a little bit of sightseeing and socializing.

A few people have asked me how I got selected for the trip. There is an application process, consisting of a written application, a curriculum vitae, a short essay, and two letters of recommendation. This was actually the third time I had applied for the ASG (not to mention the three times I unsuccessfully applied for its prestigious older sister, the American-British-Canadian Traveling Fellowship) so I am thrilled to be going, and grateful to my letter writers (thanks, Paul and KG!). There is also an upper age limit for fellows, so I would have had only one more shot after this year before I "aged-out".

I am planning on using this space partially as notes for the report that I will write for the AOA on returning, and partially to keep family and friends updated on my whereabouts and experiences during my "adventure". I am not, however, planning to emulate the titles of two other books we read in German class: "Geheimnisse Mission" ("Secret Mission") and "Gefaehrliche Wege" ("Dangerous Paths").