Sunday 24 June - Going into Town

 I was at the pier today. We had to be down on the boats at 6:30 am, so I was up in the department at 5:50. Didn't sleep very well and I am getting a sore throat. I think my sinuses are dripping down it when I am asleep. If it doesn't get better in the next few days I will get sick call to look at it. There was 5 of us on the pier. 2 navy x-ray, the Dutch ultrasound, myself and one of the Doctors.  We did 82 people from 7:30 till 3:00. I did see some people that were LDS. We have 2 ladies who come and translate for us. They have the paper work down pretty well. 

I was able to go into the town to look around a bit and have lunch. (I had a beef taco). The Dutch tech, Corrina, and I went in with three military guys who run the communication center. They were very kind to us and we shopped just a bit. It was interesting to get a closer look at the town and people. Where we walk from the pier we have to go by where they bring in the caught fish to sell. It smells pretty bad. There is a inlet harbor where people live on their boats. The street by the pier has very poor people. Their houses are made of plywood or cinder block. Many have the thatched roofs made of the palm leaves. There were a lot of people out today as it is Sunday and most have the day off from work and school. The kids were swimming the water of the inlet. It is so dirty that I would have a hard time putting my foot in it. I did get some pictures with some of the kids. 

One the way back there was a little girl walking by herself with no other people close. I gave her one of my coins I got for change. It would be about 2 pesos, which is about a quarter. Didn't want to do that when a whole bunch of people are around. They have these bicycles that have a two person covered seat they hire out. There are hundreds of them. There are no traffic lights so on regular days they have a traffic control person to help at the main intersections. 

Cam, I did see 1 small bus that was decked out like Panama. I tried to get a picture but I zoomed off. I bought some packages of dried mangos, a fresh mango, something in a flee market that we can hang as an ornament, and two little coin purses. When things cost about $1 you know they just barely make a living. They have tons of "technology, movie,CD" little stores. Just like the knock off markets in Panama and Brazil. 

The two x-ray guys were ready to bolt off when we got back as we had been gone for 90 min and they were starved. They Said you can't take a 2 hour lunch. Funny since the day before the whole group told the translators they were all going and just have the patients wait until they got back. No rhyme of reason for anything. Wish there was a set of rules so everyone can get on the same page. 

When I got back I took a nice shower when no one else was in there. Took my time, blow dried my hair. Feel pretty good. I think if I can get some sleep tonight I might be able to get rid of the sore throat. Tomorrow will be our busy day on the pier and in the department. Last time after a surgcap we were working  from 8:00 till 8:00 with all the patients coming on. Hope I can keep up. Sorry I missed everyone on face time. I thought if I started calling at 6:30 pm you time I might be able to connect with someone. No such luck. Dad, I did try you again after I got your email but you did not answer. Hope to connect maybe with someone on your Monday night. Please do not stay sitting around waiting for me to call as I can't give you a time we will be slow. We will just see what happens. Love you guys. Thanks for you comments on the emails. 

Mom/Caroline