I’ve been a member for some years and attended a number of these conferences. They really are exciting learning opportunities and provide a chance to meet clinicians and researchers around the world addressing the same crisis and problems in their work. At the Malaysian Conference a few years back I was so impressed with the Australians whose advances in treatment then are now only being introduced here in Canada. Addiction and recovery are world issues at the individual and public health levels.
I also like that these International Conferences often are scheduled in places I just happen to want to visit. I haven’t been to India since 1987 when I spent a couple of months in Bombay and environs. I’d hoped to see more but there was simply so much to do in that corner of India I didn’t travel further, hoping one day to see more of this amazing country. Now I have work to attend but have tagged on a week of vacation and pilgrimage.
I‘m also blessed to have Laura as a friend and can bring her along. These conferences and conventions are arranged in lovely hotels with incredible discounts for 5 star places. I just get the hotel rooms when I register because of the convenience of location and arrangement but these lovely rooms are wasted on me because I’m always in the class rooms or out for work dinners. Laura accompanied me to the International Society of Addiction Medicine in Milan where we met with my esteemed friends Dick and Cheryl. Laura loved the rooms and while I was at the conference had a marvellous well deserved shopping vacation in Milan.
Delhi is equally famous for fashion in the Middle East. Callie Chan, of Flight Centre also arranged two day tours as we are arriving early. One to the famed Red Fort and the other to the Taj Mahal. (Since foolish Justin Trudeau’s visit and his funny clothe antics, Canadians have to sign aggreements to be respectful of other countries shrines and sites - Just kidding).
I can only do this because Belinda is caring for Gilbert who loves her most of all. I swear Belinda thinks of him no differently than her truly loved children and grand children. I remembered too to tell her that Gilbert doesn’t like tap water but prefers his bowl be filled directly from the toilet.
Also I’m so thankful for friends staying in my home and neighbours and management who are stopping mail and just generally keeping my home and vehicles safe while I’m away. With all my travels and being away I’m just really thankful for the concern and care of people which make this possible. Also I have the latest security features, cameras galore, indoor and outdoor and even boogie traps. I love the invisible ink powders which can then be tracked. I had to tell the friend staying here about the locations but he was pleased that when he was not here all this was in place. Thankfully Coquitlam isn’t downtown Vancouver. Thaun Vo of Rand and McNally was kind enough to ensure all my vehicle insurance and storage insurance was up to date as the last thing I’d want to happen is to be away and have my insurance expire. As a friend says, a lock keeps an honest man out. I’ve nothing here worth stealing as it’s just where I live and work. My wealth is in family, friends, pets and work.
Hunting season is over for me. I knew it was going to be a short one when I booked this trip so last weekend made sure all my rifles and ammo were back at the Gun Storage locker. I even put Harley into his hibernation quarters at Trev Deely Motorcycle.
Travelling for a week or two overseas is an expedition. With patients and clinics knowing I was leaving pharmacists and everyone it seems,has been desperate to ensure their prescriptions won’t run out. This is good because it cuts down on the calls. Doctors of BC Corporate Telus and roaming plan means I’m 24/7 connected but really appreciate the least work when I’m away. Laura still remembers the 3 am call in Ireland from the Vancouver police needing me to confirm the identity of one of my patients and saving everyone a whole lot of unnecessary hassle. All’s well that ends well. Mostly I’ve had to contact a pharmacist to get the releases of a medication the patient is on. I tell everyone I don’t discuss the meaning of life on the phone and certainly not when I have limited ‘international roaming minutes’. The fact remains it’s never been abused by patients or caregivers except perhaps once by an institution who quickly apologized as the on call family physician was on site for that very question.
I wish I was more successful screening out junk email. I really don’t mind these when I’m working as they’re like reading the newspaper in the morning but travelling I have no interest so often block a whole bunch of stuff only to find I’ve over done it when I get back.
I’m so excited.
Laura just texted me and she’s on her way.
“It’s a really spiritual country, “ she said. “I”ve been reading about India and everyone describes spiritual experiences. I just thought it was exotic and now hi tech but it’s still considered the ancient spiritual centre.”
We’re booked to go to the ashram whose teacher first laid the foundation for my study of yoga and meditation in 1971. Laura was with me when we visitted the Self Realization Fellowship Ashram near San Diego a couple of years ago. Now she’ll be with me when we visit the Ranchi India ashram. I love these calming peaceful locations where I can sit and meditate and be among people who devote their lives to their higher power. In spring I was at the Coptic Christian Monastery in Lake Tana meditating with a delightful monk. I love our Mission Monastery as a place of retreat and solace. Laura and I have visitted often to spend time alone in prayer and meditation.
After we visit the ashram we’re going onto Keralla , famous for its beaches, but where the St. Thomas Church is. St. Thomas, the ‘doubting Thomas’ disciple of Jesus seeded churches throughout the Middle East all the way to Kochi. As a sailor I love harbours and Kochi was a major centre on the ‘spice trade’ where Jewish traders had a thriving community.
Hallelujah! I’m so excited.
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