Hidden Gem: Nova Scotia, Seafood delight and Shaving to Save!

So this is also about my thoughts on family medicine, but in short, although I was sincerely hoping to have my mind changed about family medicine in this new setting, I am learning quickly that even in the best possible situation, the bread and butter of family medicine is not for me!

I do however find myself madly in love with this Nova Scotian countryside coast-town, where I am currently doing the second half of my rural family medicine core rotation. The first half was in a small Quebec town, close to the Ontario border -it was... adequate. The best part was assisting in a delivery that became complicated, with failed vantouse and having to go to C-section done by a general surgeon and beautifully finished with a clean subcuticular stitch as opposed to the tackyness of clips. It was a cute little town, a nice little hospital, simple, friendly farmland folk -I probably would have loved it if I was doing obstetrics or surgery... I just don't get excited by the typical family medicine run-of-the-mill type issues.

I thought I was into "women's health" -their "whole bodies, not just their vaginas and pregnancies", but actually, I only get excited when I get to do procedures... PAPs, deliveries, etc. The rest is rather unfulfilling (though I do enjoy the mental health stuff, in all fairness). I did learn a lot though. And am continuing to learn away through 24-hour calls and busy days here in this little Maritime town. My supervisor here is truly amazing -so passionate, really loves to teach, very hospitable and fun, so I am enjoying the experience of medicine more generally here, as well as the experience of Nova Scotia.

So when I was post-call yesterday, I got to do a little exploring of this place, and really I am in love. This little town is right on the coast, beautiful Atlantic ocean all around, cute non-cookie-cutter homes (pretty architecture, very different from the French Canadian of home, or the tackiness of some of big city Ontario buildings) with lots of forest and garden space, and there are actually little brooks that bubble and run between properties in some places!

There are 4 churches within 4 blocks right in the heart of town, whose bells chime every hour on the hour, and beautiful old mansions have been converted into doctors' offices on the main street. Lovely parks with old fashioned street lamps lining the paths, and benches right on the banks of the blue Atlantic are just a few steps away from where I'm staying.

And just a few minutes drive away, there are beautiful white, sandy beaches -hidden gems -pristine, uncommercialized, with forest along the banks, sea shells and sand dollars on the shores, and giant rocks to pick your way through and stand on so you get the best view of the waves crashing up against them... the lady I'm staying with took me there around sunset yesterday evening. It was gorgeous, and we were literally the only people on the whole beach!

Also, the people are also so friendly here, non-pretentious, genuine... all the cars stop if you want to cross the road, if you make eye contact with someone, they will absolutely say 'hello' (I often smile at strangers when i'm walking about and usually, the best I get in return is a reciprocal smile, let alone a "hi")...

It's like the beauty of British Columbia without the pretention and granola... very real and grounding with the gentle, soothing waves kissing the sands of this little Canadian province. I'm such an East Coast girl (though I've only been to the Maritimes once before for a road trip when I was 10... a pilgrimage to the home of Anne of Green Gables in PEI ;) But really, this place is full of that ethereal spiritual kind of romance that I love, as well as a very peaceful and enjoyable solitude. I love it. Also one can get great seafood here.

Case in point, I bought salmon at the grocery store and baked it up very nicely at home, for the first time ever, and honestly, it was the best salmon I've ever had in my life -really! Here it is below:

Purple Pebble's Salmon Concoction

Heat oven to 425F. Line pan with aluminum. Wash salmon filet and lay on aluminum. Mix crushed garlic, lemon juice, capers, dill, chives and onion salt in a bowl. Sprinkle some lemon juice onto salmon filet, followed by some lemon pepper. Pour mixture onto salmon liberally. Dot with butter. Close up aluminum foil around salmon, leaving a little opening on top (keeping the moisture in, but not letting it get too mushy when it cooks in the oven). Pop in the oven for 15-17 minutes. Let each forkful melt in your mouth (as it surely will). Repeat :)

And finally, I am so proud of my little sister who "shaved to save" last weekend, along with 2 of her friends to raise awareness about the socio-cultural reality that people undergoing cancer chemotherapy have to live, donating her hair to make wigs for people with cancer, and raising nearly $7000 in just 1 week for the Children's Wish Foundation. She was right when she said "but if I shave it all off, more people will donate, and they will donate more!" So courageous, such a great cause! Check out the awesome short link below to witness this beautiful act of love:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TNrzxtpc_k