In flight medicine

On the flight from Atlanta to Tel Aviv, at precisely 3 am, there is a call for a doctor. I dash to back of plane -- a man had fainted and had a pulse of 40. Probable vasovagal episode. Stayed with him for a while, returned to my seat; a non-event.
Tel Aviv to Addis (en route to Nairobi) a bit of a problem. First I have 150 lb of luggage and I eventually negotiated them down to 22 lb of overweight. Had to go to other end of airport to a small office to pay and their computer was down; fortunately had the cash. Returned to check in . . . the very last person to do so. They wanted to give me a middle seat in the last row of the plane (you know how I love that). Fortunately they yield to the fact that there was one other seat on the plane in an exit row.
Sat next to an enterprising Israeli woman who with her husband lives in Addis and has a “flower farm” 15 mi outside of Addis. They employ 400 people and export flowers 3x weekly to Europe and the U.K. They also have a farm in Israel but poblem there is: (1) no water this year; (2) impossible to find workers. For now Ethiopia is the place to be. Turns out she lives across the street from Dr. Rick in Addis. She invited me to spend a day with her when I am back in Addis.
If I can get my surgery done I would like to do this. In any event, left Tel Aviv at midnight. Precisely at 3 a.m. a lot of rustling, people yelling help and I was sure we were being hijacked. Fortunately just another fainting. I was the only doctor on board and tended to the woman. I did not sleep a wink.
Arrived in Addis 30 min early and Rick’s assistant who was supposed to meet me was no where to be found. Waited one hour and still no appearance. An Obama pin saved the day as a fellow stayed with me while we called Rick’s house for 30’, getting either a repeated busy signal or no answer. When I give him an Obama pin it was to him like a pot of gold. Finally reached Rich. He had dates mixed up and was planning to meet me tomorrow!. If that is the worse that happens to me I am all set. Gave Rick my baggage that I will pick up in 2 wks on my way to Gondar.
I am writing this as I await the plane to Nairobi. Addis and particularly Israel hold a very fond place in my heart and so far the incidents are a small price to pay for the privilege of being here.