Geography

So, when I was picking my externship sites for my 4th year rotations, I really wanted to explore the country. I wanted to be able to drive a disgusting amount of miles to be able to see all that America has to offer, geography-wise I suppose. My original plan was something on the East Coast, something on the Southwest Coast and something on the Northwest Coast, with of course Chicago thrown in the mix. I wanted to do it in a big zig-zag pattern so as to travel all over.

What ended up happening was I got Chicago for the summer so I didn’t have to move, I ended up with Las Vegas, East Providence, RI, and Newington, CT (6 cold months on the East Coast). Wasn’t really ideal, but having summer in Chicago helps not having to move and also keeping my job for awhile longer. Having the two East Coast sites helps me save some time and thus I have time to travel for Part 3 of NBEO.

But what it’s come down to so far is the fact that I hate this place. Well, hate is a strong word, I don’t hate it. I just dislike it a lot. Yes, Las Vegas is fun – if you’re willing to spend money like you invented it. I’m sure there’s lots to do here but it’s all catered to those wanting to come into the city for a weekend to live like they were rich or dying really soon. The rest of the time it’s too damn hot (at least for me) to want to do anything outside. I want to run, I want to bike (still debating buying one), I want to go hiking, etc. but the heat just zaps the life out of me.

I avoided the mountains when I picked my site because I felt like I had lived by the mountains most of my life and needed to experience something else. I wish I didn’t listen to myself. More and more I wish I had almost all my sites in Colorado, Utah, Montana, somewhere near the mountains. I like to run, hike, explore the outdoors – not that I have much in my life, but a desert is just a place that’s not really conducive to that in my opinion. I like greenery. I like fresh forest smells, the sound of running water. Here is just dust. I want to take up road biking, perhaps dip into road racing or duathalons for fun.

I like more temperate weather. I would prefer to be cold than hot. I don’t want to rely on air conditioning to get through the day or even the morning commute. I like wearing jackets, I like layers. I want to ski in the winters, maybe even try cross-country. I like variability.

At least this gives me an idea of what kind of place I’d like to live. So far: Mountains > Midwest > Southwest/Tropics/Florida > Deserts. Soon to explore the East Coast, unfortunately no West Coast opportunities to experience…

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