Day 7: Clinic 3 and the Pacific Ocean

Hola! Emma and Lindsay here to bring you up to-date on our astounding Nicaraguan adventure. We can't believe it's Day 7 already, marking halfway through our trip. It feels like we've already had a lifetime of experiences, and we're no-where near stopping. It's still hard to grasp everything that we've done thus far. 

Day 7 was another early morning at the Hotel San Jose due to having to head to our 3rd Clinic an hour northwest of Chinandega.  After travelling through the beautiful green countryside we headed up a dirt road towards a school on the ocean bluffs. With the school in view the van slipped on the road and embedded itself in the mud. A large crowd gathered as we tried to get back on the road, but just sunk deeper. Showing the immense sense of community that we've seen all throughout the country, everyone lent a hand. Despite this delay we were able to set up the clinic before the crowds arrived. Emma and I worked in the pharmacy all day, filling the steady stream of prescriptions with the help of Haley, Jacqueline O and our wonderful nurses, Susan and Melissa. The day was a great success! The triage worked hard to keep the stream of people moving. As well, the games and crafts people kept the children and teens busy. It was a perfect age group to hand out soccer jerseys to - the boys were more than elated. 

On a trip to the bathroom (if you could call it that!), Emma and I took a moment to look back at the school and goings-on. It was a "picture-perfect" scene. The sense of community and contentment was immense. There was so much joy and happiness - it felt like it was out of a dream. We walked back across the field with smiles from ear-to-ear. After packing up, our exhausted team headed straight for the ocean. It was the greatest reward after a long day. We all booked it for the water, enjoyed diving into the waves, and feeling the warm sand. It was hard to pull away from the refreshing salty air to head back to the vans for a long car-ride home. Finally in bed, entirely spent, I think we all realized just how lucky we are to not only be able to change lives here in Nicaragua, but also grow so much ourselves.

Sorry, time is short and we must be off to a new experience - we will add the captions to the photos this afternoon. Until then, adios!

Update: Captions added! Buenas Noches Canada :) 

Mack-Dawg loading the van at Hotel San Jose, getting ready for a long day at the clinic.

Driver Chepe's animal collection. Chepe enjoys scaring people with his roaring leopard. 

A young boy herding cattle on the way to the clinic.

Stuck in the mud... again.

Our clinic in a school building on the ocean bluffs.

A family arriving at the clinic - the lady is a kindergarten teacher to whom we gave some school supplies. 

The desks that make up the school on a regular day.

The crowds continue to gather throughout the day.

Young boy driving his community to the clinic.

The clinic in full swing.  Hungry dogs roam everywhere. 

Ladies giving free haircuts at the clinic.

Isaac getting all spiffy for prom. 

Our wonderful translator, Samuel, being shaved with a straight razor, sans shaving cream.

Our two crazy drivers... I'd be worried if I were Pedro. 

Arts and crafts included bracelets; this boy is representing the classic Falcon colours.  

Surprisingly the teen boys got quite into craft time.

The alphabet posted across the wall at the school. 

Good day. 

Concentrating hard at the pharmacy.

Who's this good looking chicka? 

Local cow"boy". 

The boys were elated to get new soccer jerseys. 

Would these fit?

Aw yea.

Trying out the new ball while the clinic goes on.

Real Madrid fan - Emma approves.

No cleats for these guys.

Soccer spectators.

A girl and her new stuffed toy.

Not so impressed with getting inoculations. 

Great form. 

Hard day's "Wark".

Triage. 

Nicaraguan nurses and members of our team working together at triage.

The Breen-Machine handing out clothes. 

Some local Nicaraguans had never had their temperature taken.

Needle time. (Lindsay shudders.)

Waiting in line at triage. 

This man had to be shown which side of the scale to step on.    He was one of many who had never been weighed before. 

A store. 

Ooh Breeny. 

Emma and Lindsay soaking in the surf and sun. 

The coast. 

Lexy collecting shells.

"Which way to the beach?"

Our guide, Doug (Dooglas), with a local politician, Maria Luisa, who helped us organise the clinics, and a young pharmacist.