After the complex's rooster woke me at 5:15am, I ate beef jerky, trail mix, and cereal and got ready to go to the hospital. We left at 9am for the hospital orientation. The hospital was spread out across different buildings with many wards containing many patients in the same room, with little to no privacy. I didn't bring my camera because I wasn't sure if the hospital would be alright with us taking pictures, so I don't have any pictures of the hospital at the moment. We toured the hospital until about 12:30pm, then came back to the complex and ate lunch (including green oranges).
Green oranges (which are green when ripe) have a lot of seeds.
Later, we went to the beach of the Indian Ocean. On the way, we saw some monkeys climbing around the trees on the side of the road. Apparently they're pretty common in the area. At the beach, the water was clear but full of seaweed, so we didn't swim for very long. Again, I didn't have my camera, this time because I wasn't sure if it would be safe. Next time we go and we have someone to hold our stuff, I'll definitely take some pictures. After the beach, we washed off in the pool and ate dinner.
Dinner included chicken stuff, rice, and a tortilla-like thing.
After dinner we played Uno, tried to decide which wards to go to in the morning (which I still haven't entirely decided on), and went to bed.
Sounds like you are staying busy and seeing some pretty cool sights! How was the hospital compared to what you expected? What are the conditions of the patients and their living conditions? Were you able to get close to the monkeys or is that "frowned" upon...like you might end up getting poo thrown in your face?? Any good surfing on the Indian Ocean? How are the people you are working with? How about the other students you'll be living with? Lots of questions I know, so don't feel like you have to answer them all. Looking forward to seeing more pictures and posts! Still can't believe you are there! Remember why you are there and stay safe!!
ReplyDeleteThe hospital was about what I would have expected in a third world country. The patients are all thrown into one large room with vertical sheet walls that can be dropped for some degree of privacy. It was pretty messy and lots of hazards around.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get close to the monkeys because they're fast, like deer than can climb trees and eat your mangoes. And the beach has big waves, but they're close to shore and there's tons of seaweed!
I'm in a group of about 16 students. The others are from the US, UK, and Canada. They're fun and interesting, so it makes for a good group to work with. Hope that answers all your questions!
Tom... you are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And I counted yesterday; we have 8 girls and 7 guys but I think another girl (from Barbados) is coming soon.
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