We awoke this morning and packed in a leisurely fashion for the first time since our arrival. Luis picked us up at 8:30 and we set off for Guatemala City with two planned stops, one in Xela and one in Antigua. As we analyzed the mission, Mary commented that the whole week felt like one very long day. She’s right. Because we didn’t stay in San Marcos at night but moved to two other hotels, one very cold and noisy and the other inhabited by roosters and lacking window glass, there was never any time to relax or feel comfortable at the end of the day. On past trips, after a long, often frustrating clinic, Bette and I would walk to a small restaurant or pick up some food and return to the hotel where we could relax and go over the day. During this week, the meals were generally in the kitchens of the village elders or mayors and we were staying in lodging that had it’s own challenges. Mary has been amazing through all of it, but she, like the rest of us is fairly beaten down. The book is still out on how far down I am on her list of trusted friends. Actually, we probably have to set the trust thing aside and just hope for the “friends” part. There is some hope. Bette’s been keeping a list of adult medications and supplies that Mary has been suggesting for future missions. On more than one occasion, Mary let slip that “we” should bring this or that. I take this to mean that she has an unconscious strong desire to join me again on a future medical mission. She also has been answering with the Spanish, “Sí” instead of “Yes” when asked a question requiring the affirmative. Clues!
On the drive up today, my cell phone rang – an unexpected event since I did not enable the international feature and have not been using it. The call was from Laura, the physician coordinator for operationrainbow.org, an organization of volunteer orthopedic surgeons whom I had contacted regarding the three year old with dislocated hips whom I had seen in Por Venir. Laura informed me that indeed they would be happy to put her on their scheduled mission in either July or September at a private hospital they use in Guatemala City. They have done this surgery before on children in Guatemala. I was ecstatic as I wasn’t sure such a complex operation could be undertaken on a volunteer mission. Tomorrow Luis will call the coordinator in Por Venir for the mother’s contact information and get the process started. It will totally change this child’s future from one of chronic arthritis and progressive disability to one of relatively normal orthopedic health. When something like this comes together, I feel like all of the aggravations and inconveniences are completely worth it. They are so small compared to the consequences of having not come and not been able to refer this child. It’s not that I’m so special; any pediatrician would have recognized this gait at once. But the reality is that there is not likely to be another pediatrician in Por Venir until Luis and Bette arrange another clinic, perhaps in another year or two; it’s off the beaten path, so to speak. Though I completely agree with Mary that most of what I do on these missions is less than a Band Aid, occasionally I get to instigate something that will change one child’s life for the better, and that’s enough for me.
Along the way, we drove by the cultivated fields of the agricultural projects. This is the area where the representative from all over the country will be coming in March to learn about cultivation techniques and seed selection from master farmers. Luis will be choosing 10 representatives from the San Marcos region to take part, and they will return to their villages to teach others. The plots were amazing with a great variety of vegetables. I posted some photos on Picasa though we couldn’t get very close from our vantage point on the highway. This all comes at a great time as it coordinates with the upcoming irrigation project for the fallow land.
We stopped in Xela for breakfast where we had eggs or fruit and yogurt and then drove to the city center to the shop where Bette buys indigenous items to re-sell for her foundation. The owners know her and give a discount to all who are with her, which is great because you don’t have to think about bargaining. They recognize me as well now, so it was a nice reunion. We all bought a few things for future gifts at reduced prices, and then Luis picked us up and we drove on to Antigua. We walked around a little, continuously saying, “no, gracias,” to the vendors, and ended up in the building that houses the indigenous crafts and clothing. Textiles are arranged by region, and there are also a variety of crafts, coffees and chocolates.
We drove on to Guatemala City to our hotel in a gated community. Luis arranged our dinner and headed back to San Marcos. We were all hungry, and when we came to the dining room, the waiter handed us a full menu but said only breakfast items were available, eggs, beans, toast, fruit and pancakes. Though not especially happy, we all ordered and as we were finishing, amazing odors of “not breakfast” came wafting from the kitchen. Shortly afterwards, the waiter emerged with a plate overflowing with fried shrimp and onion rings for another diner. When Mary’s jaw returned from it’s sudden drop into shocked dislocation, she turned to find Bette equally appalled. Apparently Luis had paid for our dinner on the “light fare” plan, and had we known it we could easily have paid with our own money for something off the full menu. It was one of those “last straw” moments that luckily put Bette below me on the bad list for now. I have a feeling she’ll climb back up soon.
Tomorrow we fly back home via Miami and Charlotte. I will be busy organizing the new information about the irrigation project to present to possible donors, and awaiting Luis’ detailed report on acreage to be irrigated, costs of pipes, labor, etc., etc. to include in my proposals. Mary returns to her full work schedule plus her legislative work. I’ll likely do one more wrap up blog in a couple of days, and perhaps add a few more photos to Picasa, but thank you all again for your interest and support in following my work in Guatemala.
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