Strasbourg, France

I just returned from Radiology International’s CME meeting in Strasbourg, France. Founded by radiologist Beatty Crawford and now run by Operations Director Denise Mora, Radiology International organizes CME meetings at interesting venues around the world. This meeting is distinguished by a remarkably high repeat attendee rate which I attribute to the combination of quality locations, accessible and friendly faculty members, great tours, and the strong bond between attendees that has developed over the years. The attendance per attendee ratio is one of the highest in the industry, meaning that the meeting room was full every day despite perfect fall weather and tempting menagerie of amazing sights and tastes that beckoned from the old city.

With Radiology International's founder Beatty Crawford and SAR members Paula Woodward and Joe Collins 

Strasbourg is an interesting border city in the Alsace region of France, having alternated between French and German “ownership” several times. It is the official seat of the European Parliament, and the old city was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. The last day of the meeting, it seemed that Germany was once again trying to take possession of the city employing an army of tourists armed with cameras. Strasbourg is strategically located near the Alsace wine trail that features many cool little towns and other attractions. 

The town of Obernai on the Alsace wine trail

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey along the Alsace wine trail

The crown of Strasbourg is the Notre Dame cathedral, and the jewel of that crown is the astronomical clock found near the front of the sanctuary (the third clock on that site dating from 1843). While the automata displays on the quarter hour were underwhelming, the clock is no less a visual feast and engineering marvel.

The astronomical clock of Strasbourg

 If ever you happen to visit Strasbourg, be sure to climb the 332 steps to the cathedral platform for a panoramic view of the old city. As my wife predicted, it is a favorite roosting site for pigeons, providing a less than flattering (i.e. spattering) patina. In 1439, the cathedral was the tallest building in the world.

The view from the cathedral platform

A statue tries to fend off a pigeon

Climbing the cathedral steps would have been easier without a week’s worth of fine Alsatian cuisine under my belt. Because the best I could do with the local language was to laugh with a French accent, I didn’t always know what I was going to get when I ordered food. Regardless of species and organ system (in many cases uncertain) or preparation (usually with a white sauce or sauerkraut), the food was awesome.  I’m determined to learn some travel French before I travel to Paris for ESGAR in June. While it’s hard to get used to the idea of wasting all those perfectly good consonants, I’d like to avoid reenacting the French restaurant scene in National Lampoon’s European Vacation.

This trip was unique in that my wife, Mary, could join me (along with her college friend, Heidi who lives in Switzerland- yes that’s her real name). It’s always more fun to travel with someone.  One of the highlights of the trip was a canoe trip down the Ill river that bisects the city. I expected to see a plethora of artists and young couples in love (and maybe a mime and/or accordion player or two) lounging on the river banks with long crusty baguettes and bottles of wine strewn about. Well, there were plenty of people on the banks, but they were mostly preoccupied with their cell phones. I’m pretty sure some were hoping to capture future YouTube footage of capsizing canoes.  They almost got their wish, as SAR member Paula Woodward (Univ. of Utah) and her companion narrowly escaped being capsized by a large tourist boat, because they apparently didn’t know the words for “keep left” in English.

Waiting for the lock to open on the Ill river. A large tourist boat awaited us on the other side.

Speaking of Paula, the SAR had a small but powerful presence at the meeting. Paula and I were joined by SAR member Joe Collins from Mayo Scottsdale. Paula and I each gave 6 talks over 5 days on a wide range of genitourinary and gastrointestinal topics. If you haven’t had the privilege of hearing Paula speak, I suggest adding it to your bucket list, because her talks are as entertaining as they are informative. As an aside, Paula also plays a mean accordion.

Joe Collins didn’t speak at this meeting but will be a featured speaker at the next meeting in Holywood, Northern Ireland. Go to radiologyinternational.com for information on that meeting and show your support for your fellow SAR member by joining Joe on the Emerald Isle. Like me, Joe is an amateur astronomer, so the next time the SAR annual meeting is in Arizona, we’ll have to organize a “star party” in the desert (bring your snake repellent). More on Mayo Scottsdale and Arizona to follow…