Settling in

Well. We made it. Can't believe we're here after so long talking about it. I'd like to say the journey was smooth and effortless, but Unite & BA did their best to take any joy out of the journey here. Heathrow Terminal 5 was a disaster zone with staff running round like headless chickens. It took us 3 hours to clear check in and security.

If anyone is planning to fly to the USA with BA you are allowed to take 1 checked case plus 2 hand luggage, but you have to check in one of the hand luggage (for free) because new security rules say only 1 bag is allowed on the plane (unless you are business class - which is odd cos I thought most terrorists like to travel business class). Unfortunately most BA staff do not know the rules and they will try to charge you excess baggage.

Despite the complete lack of crew in economy on the plane, no hot food, (in fact only 1 service for a 8 hour 40 min flight) we were very grateful that we arrived sfae with luggage in chicago.

We hired a huge American Chevy 4x4 (does up to 20mpg on a good day!) and drove to Ann Arbor - staying at a motel overnight on the way.

Our first impressions:-

1 - Everything is bigger. Literally everything.

The cars, the roads, the trees, the apples, the food servings, houses, the milk cartons (buy by the gallon!)

2 - The town is spotless and clean. I haven't seen any litter anywhere

3 - The roads are falling apart - now I know why everyone drives big 4x4's

4 - Everyone we've met has been really nice and friendly, and everyone is very polite.



The house is amazing. Loads of space, and character, a real log fire, a huge basement, a toy room for the kids, massive fridge/freezer, big garage, back yard backing on to a park. Even a basketball net. Yep we're living the American dream alright. The neighborhood (as they spell it here) is very middle class - big beautiful wooden houses and tree lined streets, lots of parks and trendy cafe's, restaurants and bars. I feel at home alright.


Popped in to the hospital yesterday. UofM Main hospital (where I'll be working) is just one hospital in a huge medical centre that is roughly the size of Cardiff city centre. I got lost driving through it. It has at least 3 multistorey car parks,and best of all there is valet parking!! It is also immaculately clean inside. I went to the Anesthesiology dept and got shown around, taken to the hospital bank where they issued me my bank account - complete with $10000 loan already set up for me - all there was for me to do was choose how to spend it. (Actually it will all be blown on buying a car and our first months rent).

I also got shown my office and desk and personal computer (no - I'm not joking) I share an office with some of the other "rotators". There is a big Union Jack in there to make us feel at home - though I plan to change that for a Welsh flag at some point.

I get 1 days induction next week -introduction to the computerised patient notes, billing system (?? - I thought they were getting free healthcare now anyway) and anaesthetic machines, then I start work on April 1st.

So TTFN, Will let you know how it goes,

Drake.