From around town

I believe I mentioned before but Puerto Escondido is very much a tourist town. The water front is beautiful and there are tons of markets and restaurants to go to. As you move inland the city changes. Streets are no longer paved, there are no sidewalks, dogs prowl, and things are not as clean. I prefer this part of town as it seems more authentic. I have been going to a clinic 45 minutes away from Puerto in Copala. Today I was not able to go because it has been raining for the last 24 hours. Hard rain. I love it! Copala is in the mountains and the roads are windy and not always paved. There's a river as well with a small bridge. 

There are a lot of diabetes, pregnant women, and babies. I learned that patients can receive up to 12 condoms a month. They are really expensive to buy so they go to the doctor for them. The government sends supplies of medicines and other necessities monthly but the doctor never knows what time of the month to expect the supplies. Right now he has a shortage and has to improvise to help his patients. 

The doctor is a great teacher and really goes out of his way to insure that we are getting the most out of our time there. I have drawn blood, put in IVs, and learned how to give vaccinations. I am not sure how ethical all of this was but it was a great learning experience. 

Side note: There are a lot of palm trees here. Everywhere. Coconuts litter the streets. I have taken up a collection in my room.

Road to the beach from my house

Supporting dengue prevention at a basketball court. The other side of the court supports national vaccination week which is in January.

Construction in town

Surviving the Vomit Bus: and other classic tales

I spent my last week in Oaxaca trying to steal the newborn babies. I finally managed to swipe one before her mother came back. I then took an 11 hour bus ride through the scenic mountains to Puerto Escondido for the next 5 weeks of my life. I did not ACTUALLY take the vomit bus. That bus goes straight to Puerto and takes less than half the time. It is also well named. I figured with my history it was best to take the 1st class bus that went around. I still vomited twice. 

I know have a roommate and no internet connection. Win/lose? She is from Oregon as well and left behind her husband (we can relate!) and kid (maybe not). The first thing we did was go to one of the many beaches.   The culture here is very different. It is a tourist town. Because of this it is a lot more laid back and casual.People walk around in their swimsuits and live for surfing. 

The clinic I work at now is 45 minutes outside of the city up in the mountain. It has two rooms and one doctor. The doctor is a great teacher. One of the big diseases here is chagas and the next dengue. My host family was telling me the best ways to kill scorpions when I see them too. I think I may die of the heat before some animal gets to me. The news reported the temperature today as 86F but feels like 91F. This is with a humidity of 78%. I would like to amend this to a temperature of 103F but feels like 120F with humidity so thick you can drink the air. Esther - where is my snow? 

My roommate and I are going to the same clinic this week and we decided to walk part of the way home today. We used the time for fotos. 

There are iguanas every where here.