A Mommy & Allison vacation

After planning on getting an early start, I couldn't drag myself out of bed early! I had orginally planned on leaving around 1030 but after getting up around 0900, I knew there was no way we were going to be ready in 90 minutes. Especially when I got nothing packed last night. I got Allison up and then we were pretty much running around until 1200. Got the suitcase packed, the coolers pulled out from underneath the house and cleaned. Clothes from the washer/dryer done, and dishes loaded in the dishwasher, trash out...we were getting close to leaving. Allison took everything out and put it in the driveway, we got the coolers washed out and then everything loaded in the car. Yeah us! We got in the car and Allison says "it looks like we are going for a month". I didn't care. I had thrown clothes in the suitcase (actually there probably is enough clothes in there for a month) but I was so tired when I was packing, I just ended up throwing clothes in there. We packed chairs, coolers, beach stuff, food, you know ALL the essentials. So yes, Im not sure how we could have packed anything else. We still had to make a stop at Krogers and the bank, oh, and lunch for Allison (because she is always hungry) and then I think, we were going to be on the road. We did finally get on the road around 1200 and got here around 1430. Used 3 luggage carts (not really) to unload the car and then out to the beach we went. The weather is great, the water felt wonderful and it was nice, just relaxing and having absolutely NOTHING to do! Allison has already started collecting seashells, and she actually got in the water, but she wasn't too excited after I told her that a 17-year old girl was bitten by a shark here last week! I invited Chris down. Im so excited that he is coming for the weekend. Im so hard on him. We have kept in touch over the last 4 months, I really wish he could see how I feel without making me 'say it'. Why don't guys just get it? I guess THAT is the $1,000,000 question.

Ecuador Day 6

Ecuador- Dia Quatro

Hump Day-Wednesday...Cherine & I again, ready for work! Dressed, breakfast and in the lobby before 0700.

More interesting places that we passed. The Hotel 8! Maybe next year we should stay here!
Again, another hour ride to our location today! All of the areas look the same. Not any grass, no televisions, no phones, no indoor plumbing.
We pulled up to a 'compound' that was blocked off with a wire fence all the way around. There were several rooms, so the MD's and pharmacy got one huge room and the eyeglasses got a separate room, and they even had bathrooms in a separate area too. WOW! We were living it up today. Again, when we arrived there were hundreds of people and children already lined up.

It was amazing in communities that didn't have running water, no power, alot of things that we take for granted and they could build a 'community center' and church like this. Totally amazing.

Again, everyone was banded and it was hot again. No fans blowing air this time. We did have windows behind us, which was nice when the wind would blow, but that wasn't regular so we were again on mandatory water stops throughout the day.

Lunch time came quickly again. Didn't seem like we were doing alot, but half the day was gone before we knew it. The fruit of the day looked like this:

I wasn't in the 'try new fruit' mood, so I just put it aside. It was a beautiful orange color with the texture of an apple or pear. I found out later that the inside middle was filled with things that looked like fish eyes. Someone was spitting them out and then someone else told them they were supposed to eat them. I wasn't up to that much excitement!

We also weren't aware that we had front row seats to a concert for lunch either. Dr. Ken and one of the Ecuadorian docs got up and were singing loudly. The guitar was going, the electronic keyboard, and singing. It was so funny. Linda got up and was dancing around the entire room as well as entertaining the outside patients that were waiting to be seen! The kids loved it.

Again, your pharmacy crew, hard at work, with Bob of course!

Michael is giving teaching instructions on the use of an inhaler in Spanish to his patient. This was a perfect picture! Hes going to be a great MD.

We kept a pile of prescriptions that we had filled. Later these will be used to help us out in future years as far as planning and a better med list. We also compared day to day to see how many people we saw.

This girl saw my name tag and recognized it as her own. Michelle y Michelle? I turned around and said 'si'. Yes, it was like a Michelle French and a little Michelle Campos (my best friend throughout High School). Wow! She got the biggest kick out of our names being the same.

It was again, time to go. The days seem to go by so fast. Where does all the time go? We got all of our stuff packed up and again, headed back on the buses. After the 1st two days, the bus clock always said something after 0100. We finally figured it out on Day 4! Everytime the bus driver started the bus it reset to 0100. Now we know!

Back to the hotel, shower and since we finished up early today some of us are treking back to the Lighthouse. Can I do it?

I had already advised Chris that we were not doing the Amazing Race pace. I still had my 85lb back pack but I was up for another hike! (It wasn't really 85lbs). Off we went, down past the church, through Iguana Park, cross the street to the Malecon. To the end of the waterfront we go.

Round 2......

It was going to be different doing this with it still being light outside. A different view awaits us at the top.

Halfway! Wow! No breaks yet, but halfway up! Dr. Ken took a breather, and then I told him he was doing way better than me the first time. I had already stopped twice by step 222.

I can't remember what step this was, but we were all in agreement on 'taking a breather'. The shops, stores, and houses that occupy both sides of this climb are amazing. Such a quaint area. I can't wait to read the history on this. I think between my reading list of Ecuador and Rosetta Stone, I may just be an expert next year.

Chris didn't give me a hard time at all. And I just remembered, we didn't shower before we left. We got in from the bus ride, changed and met back in the lobby within 10 minutes of our arrival. So the sweat now was mixed in with the sweat from our day.

Homes, bars, restaurants, stores all line the entire way up. They are so cute and quaint.

This is around step 385. This is the last platform before getting to the top. You can see one side of the Lighthouse. Dr. Ken advised us that he has a hobby of climbing lighthouses but he didn't know anything about this one. Remember the harmonica? Well, he runs up the last 65 steps with harmonica in his mouth playing the theme from Rocky. With me following with his camera getting his climb on film. As he ran through many Ecuadorian's, they began to cheer as he rose to the top. Of course yelling ADRIANE once he got to the top! Totally awesome! And we were all a part of it.

When I got to the top a lady had asked me where we were from. I said 'North Carolina' and she stated they were from Los Angeles but home visiting. Her husband asked what we were doing and I said ''a medical trip with 3 medical teams. He then asked how long we were staying and I said 'a week' he responded, 'you need to stay a month'. I agreed. While the work we were doing was totally amazing. It didn't even begin to scratch the surface of what is needed.

Because it was during the daylight hours, the Lighthouse was open, so we did get to climb the spiral staircase to the top. Amazing.

This picture follows the view of the waterfront that we just walked from. We believe our hotel is close to the 2nd tall building in this picture.

I did get Chris to snap a picture of me at the top. When you are the one always taking pictures, its hard to get yourself in one! Thanks Chris! Then we had Mike take one of all of us! I love this picture, Kelsey, Chris, me and Brad. You can't really tell how bad we stink, but I made the climb....again!

Ecuador-Dia Tres

We made it through Day 2 and were ready for Day 3. Again, Cherine and I with the 10 minute rise and shine, breakfast and down to the lobby with 50lb bags in tow. Each medical team was color coded and separated in the lobby. When your bus color was called, it was time to move.

The ride again ,was about an hour away from the hotel. As you can see there are no lines for traffic patterns, but I could do without hearing a car horn for the rest of my life. People just honked ALL THE TIME! Even behind buses, they honk. They honk at red lights, green lights, no lights...ALL THE TIME! I was so tired of hearing car horns. We passed this along the way to our location today. I had come to the conclusion that a great number of adults in this country/city were employed in some shape by the police. Approximately every 25 feet along the streets and waterfront were police officers with automatic weapons. It was crazy. Tons at every traffic light, even though the lights worked, they were still directing traffic. And the fact that all businesses were up with metal bars and full size metal garage doors, I didn't understand WHY there were so many. Maybe its a sign of intimidation? Along with the history of th Lighthouse, Ill definately look up this part of the country as well.

Like I said yesterday, trash piles...more and more. I did see a truck that had backed up to a pile and guys were behind it with shovels, putting the garbage in the truck. But, of course, they never get all of it, so bits and pieces of rotten food, trash, etc. are left behind. That on top of, the next day there is more trash piled in the same location, the smell gets worse and it never goes away. You could definately tell where we were each day, after coming across the mountain. The smell and the look was changed.

We ended up passing by the 'Farmers Market' today. I was totally amazed at how chickens hung, red meat, sausages, etc. The next table over the guy actually chopped off a chickens head. I didn't get that picture. But it was right in the middle of the road. There were 2 lanes on each side and no where to pull off. So you either had to go away and park and walk or deal through the windows. The bus driver did tell us not to put anything out the window, like our cameras or hands with jewelry because they would take it right off your hand. I hadn't put the camera out but it was kind of crazy hearing that.

The fruits and vegetable tables were probably the most color we saw all week. Everything was so brown and dirty here. There was only one place we saw grass, other than that, everything was dirt colored.

Not sure what all the fruits and vegetables were, but it was kind of interesting seeing them.

More trash.....like I said...trash, trash, everywhere. Are you starting to get the picture? Now imagine the smell! Y-U-C-K!

We finally turned off the paved road and into the area of dirt roads. As our guide was attempting to tell the bus driver where to turn and how to get up this steep hill, the bus driver kept saying (in Spansh) "but this isn't a car". The guides kept telling him 'but cars go up this hill all the time'. This back and forth went on for a good 5 minutes. Alas, the bus driver made his attempt at going up this hill. As well all looked and couldn't believe he was actually attempting to go up, I don't think there was a word spoken as his lowered the gear and gently pushed on the gas. I think secretly we all thought the bus was going to turn over with us on it! But we all held our breath until he made the turn onto the dirt road that led us to the church we were going to today!

As we rounded the last turn and saw everyone lined up, we all clapped! I don't think any of us thought we would actually make it. What was funny, later when the bus driver left to go get the dental students, he refused to drive the bus back to get us and made us walk back down. With the 50lb suitcases! We all laughed at the end of the day!

Ok, back to work! We came into a church that had a tile floor, concrete walls and 2 bathrooms inside the church. No running water though. They had a volunteer watching the bano's, so everytime someone used the bathroom, she would get a bucket of water out of a barrell and 'flush' the toilet, and then mop the foor! It was definately a turn around from yesterday!

We actually had electricity and fans! We needed it, it was very hot! And this church, even nicer, didn't have a cross-breeze.

The pharmacy crew rocked. Mike, our Pharmacist from the ED, Chris, who is a UNC Pharmacy student works now as a Pharmacy Tech at Rite Aid, and Kelsey who is our interpreter. She is at Trinity College majoring in English. She was very nice and everyone on our team, including the entire team just meshed well together. It was great! Oh I forgot Bob. Yes Bob was with us to watch over the meds.

We broke for lunch after noon. Time was flying by despite us all sweating like crazy and taking water breaks as dictated by Mike and Dwayne! At lunch today, as we were eating, Michael and Dr. Ken broke out in guitar songs. Ken was crazy. Michael is Kelsey's brother (in case you couldn't tell), he just finished his 3rd year of Medical School at UNC. I knew there was a reason I liked him! Go Heels! He is a MD from Ft. Lauderdale, and is definately the entertainer of the Purple Team. He entertains us on the bus, during our day, especially at lunch and on the way home! He brings harmonicas, a drum, guitar, etc. I definately want to make sure he's on our team next year!~

This was our set-up. Michael actually started seeing patients today, so we had 5 MDs, which let us see more patients quicker and kept the pharmacy team on its toes. I think our best reported time from the patient entering to leaving us with meds filled was 8 minutes. At least, thats what Brad tells us! I think we were much faster!

At the end of the day, we were glad to be done. I think mainly because we were so hot and tired.

After we were caught up and waiting on the last few prescriptions to fill, Kelsey & I went outside to breathe and to get some pics of our surroundings. This little girl entertained Kelsey all day. She was so cute.

When walking down the dirt road to the cross road to get a picture of how steep the hills were that we came up, I looked up and saw these shoes around the power lines. Amazing, that some things are everywhere. People in the USA do this. I, personally, haven't done it and I don't really know why people do it, but here I was, south of the Equator, thousands of miles from home and here were tennis shoes around power lines. Crazy!

This picture is lookin up the cross road, the other direction (looking down the hill) is where our bus is waiting on us. It was so steep and nothing flat, there were bumps and holes everywhere. Imagine that in a bus.

This next picture is after I made it down the hill and watching the rest of the team come down. The picture really doesn't give the angle justice. It was soooo steep! And the fact we had made it up in a bus. Someone was definately looking out for us!

Back on the bus and back to the hotel we go. We, of course, passed the Farmers Market again. Im sure some of the chickens that were hanging in the morning were the same ones hanging in the afternoon! Then we remembered we hadn't seen any cows, so Im not sure what red meat was hanging. We saw only 2 cats the entire week, but tons of dogs! Whatever it was, it was probably dinner!

This guys was unloading plantains. You know, bananas! ha ha By the stalk load. It was kind of crazy watching him pull a stalk off at a time, then the guy on the ground would take 1-2 off and then lay it out in order.

Back through traffic and heading home a different way, I passed this billboard! McDonalds! In Ecuador? Yep, they really are global. And I figured Allison and Chris would like this! I sure would love a Large Sweet Tea, but I can't use the water in the tea, so thats a no go! But definately as soon as I get home! Maybe Chris will come next year, now that he knows theres a McDonalds!

Ecuador-Dia Dos

Day 2 in Ecuador, but Day 1 for work!~ We had to be up with breakfast, bags packed and in the hotel lobby by 0645. Cherine and I were pretty good about getting up and out within 10 minutes. Yeah us! Monday was a special day for this group as the clinic they help build was being dedicated. All the teams boarded their buses and headed to the clinic. It was about a 15 minute bus ride. All three medical teams were here and there was about a 45 minute ceremony. The Cary Church of God funded and actually built this building. Originally it had 2 rooms when you walked in, now it has been expanded and has more than doubled. It now houses a pharmacy, Directors office, bathrooms and several evaluation rooms, including a dental room. WOW!

All of the houses and businesses that we passed, including the hotel, are all boarded up with metal bars or full metal garage doors. There was a huge white steel gate by the sidewalk and bars on the windows and doors. But I looked up and on both side cinderblock walls at the top, were broken glass bottles placed all along the tops of both walls. I was told that this was to keep people from attempting to break into the clinic. Despite wind, rain, etc. the bottles and glass stayed. Wow! Kind of crazy.

The man who got me into this! Dr. Pauli. He told me as we headed home later in the week, he couldn't believe how calm I was when he asked me to go, "sure, why not" I said. I wouldn't have changed it. I really like being here and am totally sure I'll be back next year. I am so looking forward to this.

Brad, being Brad, of course! I didn't know Brad before this trip, but he was also on the Purple team, so I was definately going to know him by the end of the week. ha ha.

This hillside of homes, is actually how all the homes are. Some are made from sugar cane, some from cinderblocks, some from wood.

We headed off the paved road and hit dirt roads off and up into areas that hadn't been reached before.

We got to our first church that we were setting up. It had dirt floors and sugar cane walls with a metal roof. No bathroom. The picture below was taken from the front of the church looking back to the door. We had 4 MD's set up, a eyeglass station and a pharmacy station. The local contact had gotten local people to help us with crowd control as well as interpretting as needed. Each MD had an interpreter and the pharmacy had an interpreter.

As soon as we pulled in there were people already lined up. From what I was told in years past, this was the norm. People would sometimes wait over night just to make sure they were going to be seen. But they were all patient and for the most part, well controlled. We didn't have too much of a problem. It was set for each medical team to see 250 people per day for each of the 5 days. That would be 750 patients per day. Each patient would be 'banded' with a certain color for medical eval, dental eval or eyeglasses eval. The bands would be cut off after receiving their prescriptions and then they would be escorted back beyond the entrance so that they couldn't come back through.

Keya, Me, Linda and Jolie! Keya was helping with entertaining kids, Linda and Jolie were helping with Health Promotion, like teaching them about washing their hands and washing fruits and vegetables, staying away from added sugar, etc.

Here is a picture after everyone got started. It filled up quickly. Everyone started here, through Health Promotion and then they were called in to one of the MD's as they became available.

We stopped seeing patients long enough for us to eat. After breakfast we had to pick up boxed lunches on the way to the lobby. So now it was time to see what treats were in store for me today. I had to write my name on it, so why not do what I do for my drinks in the ER. The Purple Team got a kick out of it!

After over 200 patients, we were done. Dental students were brought in after us for dental services. Wow, what a day! I couldn't believe it had gone by so quickly.

Headed back home!

This is how all the streets looked. There were trash piles about every 50 feet. Right in the middle of the road. When we left the hotel and traveled about 10 minutes after the clinic, you turn off of an interstate and then onto another interstate. You travel on this for about 10-15 minutes and come up, over a mountain....then the whole atmosphere and look changes. The smell was like a combination of wet circus animals and rotten food. It was horrible. And also where the trash showed up. Everywhere you looked....piles of trash!

Did I mention this is E V E R Y W H E R E!

I posted this pic on FB and Diane Vargo responded (I440 Beltline) ha ha! I loved it! Side saddle and all!

We got back to the hotel, took a shower, changed and then headed to dinner! Started off with soup! Yummy! Jolie had one and wanted another one, so she put this under the table and they brought her another one! ha ha ha

They have NO Dr. Pepper, and they call Coke, Coca Cola Regular. So when you order a Coke, you have to say Coca Cola Regular. Or they have Coca Cola Light! Go figure!

I have to get done, get on the computer and hope that I can catch Chris! Actually I dont think he wants me to catch him. But I keep trying!