1212 PATIENTS....

End of Caravana Medica for October, 2013...

Faithful Blog Readers....
We were REALLY busy the end of the week of clinic.   We saw a whopping 177 pts on Friday!   With our even smaller, elite team.  We saw a total of 1212 pts for the 2 weeks.  Long days, but really fun, rewarding, as usual.  We laugh and ask Dr. Bill's opinion and look at each other's unusual pts.  For my medical friends, I will put up a separate Blog, so that you can get a flavor of the kind of patients, and the kind of ailments we see.  

We are in the clinic til 4 or 5 each evening,and then blissfully, breathlessly walk up the steep steps back to the Bible school.   I shower...as the cold water feels better then than in the morning.  And we find a spot on the roof or on the bed or a shady spot to read or nap til dinner.   The internet at the Bible school was down, hence no Emails for a few days.   Then we eat supper all together, and again on the roof to take in the incredible night view,moon, stars, etc. We read in bed for a bit, and crash at 9:00 to do it all again at 6:15 the next day.  I will very much miss the camaraderie and the companionship of my close friends here, as they leave and the team breaks up, each to go his own way.  Devotions at sunrise to start the day, "This is the Day that The Lord has made..." in 3 languages every day at breakfast, quiet de briefing, sharing at night on the roof.... The 360 degree view is unlike any other.  But I look forward to the next phase!  
Just got back from San Cristobal.    Pedro drove Jan and I and Dr. Bill and Penny for their flight home. Sentimental Adios' and Hasta luegos.   We stayed at our usual quaint, old, Fray Bartolome Hotel, And spent the day in the 3 markets that we love.   Jan and I then stayed Sunday, as we did not have to get back.  Wonderful respite for us both. Sleep in...a little.  It's freezing in morning, San Cris.is high and cold at night.  Beaut. during day.  WE had a LOOOOng breakfast in a beaut. courtyard rest. and talked and talked.  Ihad some eggs,beans VeraCruz that was good, and tons of Cafe Americano, full of caffeine.  The only decaf they have anywhere is instant.  Yuck.  In a state that is known for coffee!   We people watch...remember the contrasts...   San Cristobal is an ancient city, full of traditional, Tzeltal, Chamula, Tzotsil people.  They come to shop, beg, and sell their wares.  They carry large boxes, chickens, trees, wood, and construction material on their heads.  There are the Gringos, like us.  There are Europeans.  It is a popular tourist place for Germans, French, etc.   There are high end shops, as well as the people's and artisan markets.  And then there are the dropouts, the old hippies, long hair, dreadlocks, back packs, etc, traveling away their lives.   

Then Jan and I took the ADO bus back to Ocosingo, 2 hours.   Really nice ride, slow and easy with that BIG bus over those narrow, curvy mountain roads.  Half the time there is only 1/2 of a road, part washed down the hill, or covered with dirt slides after rain.  Stunning views of this end of the Sierra Madres.   We did fine, even passed a dump truck....

And now I am in my new dig at the clinic!    While we were gone  (I had packed up my things), the worker guys moved my stuff.  I am in a big corner exam room that will someday be a delivery room!!   It is very comfy.   The windows are high, and the clinic heats up during the day, but the windows all open, and I have a nice upright fan.   The BR is next door, shower water is warm in the PM after the sun warms it.  No heater.  REally cold in the morning.   I have a desk, a bed with a little bigger blow up mattress, a small table, a little sink AND a mirror in my room,   I am all set up, just need some flowers, which I will pick tomorrow or get at the market.  There are 2 young guys that live here too at the clinic They are in pastor school, and are the caretakers.   Jose and Danilo.  Another guy Juan is a nurse and helped us in the pharmacy all week.  They are all fun and nice, part of our family here.  We call them Joe and John and Danny.  Pablo's office is in the clinic so it is active in the day time.   Monday Jan and I will take it easy,she cleaning her house.  She still has workmen from the constrluction they just did, put a 2nd story on top of the flat roof, and raised the living room floor.  It leaked from the alley, and was dark.  The house will be nicer, tho it is still off the alley and next door to the pig slaughter house.  A lot of cement work.  I will Blog and Email and take it easy.  It's been an intense 2 weeks.   There is lots planned for me.  Jan and Pablo are really glad I am here.  Me too...  
Sorry for this epistle.  Once I start, I cannot stop. l want you to know, to see, and feel all that I do..
More later.  Love you all a bunch.   Wish you were here...