Dr. Andrew's Journey: I'm off for the weekend

After morning rounds, quite sad because of the unexpected and likely unnecessary death of a 17 month old who was the victim of a stone falling from a building under construction, there were two excellent talks given by two different residents on: 1) brain tumors; and 2) anterior approaches to the cervical spine.

I was able to get a very spirited discussion going on both topics and offer a number of hints and pearls in the management of both.

At 11:30, my driver arrived to take me to Debra Zeit (also knowns as Bishoftu) to a new resort, Adulala. It takes us nearly two hours to drive 50 km (about 32 miles) as the traffic is horrendous. We drive 10 km off the main road thru magnificent unspoiled country side, bordered by mountains, to arrive at this incredible place.

But first, my experience with “reception”. I was the only arriving person with two people in reception. They have no record of my reservation (made by my friend Million in his name). After interminable viewing of the same computer screen over and over, and several phone calls, they finally determine that my reservation was made in the Addis Ababa office; so what is wrong with that? Apparently their main office in Addis does not communicate with the on-site computer at the facility. They determine that they have a room for me tonite, but not tomorrow. After much wrangling, attempts to contact the manager, then the owner, they will see what they can do. Do I sleep in a tent in the wilderness tomorrow night?

In the meantime this place is amazing. I have my own room that is huge, the size of a small house. Fireplace, large bathroom with every amenity you can imagine, king size bed, couch, chairs, large fireplace and 25 ft cone shaped ceiling with a thatched room outdoors. I have a large patio with several pieces of furniture under flower trees and palm trees, all high on a hillside overlooking Lake Bishoftu. This is easily the most beautifully designed, respectful of the natural environment resort I have ever seen. None of the artificiality of Hawaiian resorts or huts on stilts in the Indian Ocean. All materials are Ethiopian (fixtures are Chinese) and exquisite. The dining room is unpretentious but magnificent in its subtlety and creative design. Food is excellent.