Good job Wilfredo

Yesterday was a break from clinics, and most of the group chose to go snorkeling at the bay islands. The boat ride, along with bugs, did not agree with some of team, and beat the rest of us up. The islands were worth it though, blue water, snorkeling and palm trees for days. While we didn't see a lot of sea life, the water was amazing and we had the chance to play with the cutest little villager on one of the islands. We gave him a beach ball, Josh and Korey threw him around, and I carried him home, per his request, through the weaving mini village of shacks. We had time to go to the market, a big barbecue dinner, and bed. Today was quite the adventure, and all I can say is good work Wilfredo. We went to a clinic that we had never been to before, in Olanchito if you follow the itenerary, but actually in the middle of nowhere three hours past Olanchito. Up and over and around the mountain. This bus ride was incredible, amazing views from any window. And four and a half hours either way. We weren't able to even reach the village we were aiming for because the river was too high from the rain. The road had so many turns, with ravines plummeting down one side, and a few stops to stack rocks to make it past slippery parts. To be perfectly honest, while we all trusted Wilfredo's judgement and ability, this bus truly is an extension of his body, we all tried to not look out the windows for a grand majority of it. We played Heads Up!, in English and Spanish, and Dave busted out his guitar to sing and play for us and help calm our nerves. After a lot of confusion and change of plans, crossing the river, or not crossing, clinic outside or inside, we got back in the bus and went back to a town on the safe side of the river and did a forty five minute clinic, because we needed to beat the rain back or would've had to stay the night. I am not sure how many people were seen today, but triage filtered the sick ones versus the vitamin and parasite treatment patients, we did treat some pretty sick patients. There were a few kids with swollen glands, fevers and vomiting, a knee retaining fluid, a man who passed out and hit his truck just a few hours before we arrived and a little girl with a dead bee in her ear. Needless to say it was an exhausting turn around, and people are ready for a well deserved resort stay starting tomorrow after our last clinic. After today it is fair to say that we have been where there is no doctor, and seen the harsh reality that these people live in on a daily basis. Recognizing how hard it is for them to get anywhere with a doctor, if they can find a ride, has been a real eye opener. We did have quite a few laughs today on our little adventure. We met a couple on a motorcycle who proceeded to stop and film us as we all watched the guys pile rocks under the bus so it wouldn't bottom out. We met an old man with his machete out for an afternoon stroll, who posed for pictures, and proceeded to ask me if I could pull his molars. I can not, and neither can anyone in our group. Tony and I set up our care station right next to the coffins. All in all I can't think of better group of people to get stuck on a mountainous road with. As for me now, I am going to pop another Cipro and crash, and I am sure I am not the only one.