Week 3: Still working hard!

This is our last week of clinical in Ecuador, meaning those of us who have waited all this time finally get to go out into the community to get a "real" taste of this country and others get to see the Ecuadorian Hospitals from an up close and personal point of view. From what I have heard from the hospital clinicals today eyes have been opened and many emotions were experienced. As for the community, a few of us went out to the furthest subcentro, surviving the very bumpy and treacherous ride, to teach the people waiting at the clinic there and to check some blood pressures and blood sugars. The rest of the group screened more children, making them cry as they had to poke them for blood...that is really not a fun job! But I thought it might be kind of interesting for those of you not here to see what the inside of a school looks like out in the community.

We also had the delightful opportunity to go and see their "mechanical soy milk cow" that they hope to utilize to make what the name implies...soy milk. I think we all had different expectations of this "cow" before seeing it. Here, Jacob demonstrates his love for soy milk and his eagerness to try some!

We also actually had quite a scary experience. So, if it has not been mentioned before, it is best to know that driving here is NOT like driving in the US. There really aren't many regulations, and people just drive, but are usually pretty good at it. Well, we were all jam-packed in the back the the Land Rover ambulance that takes us out and picks us up at community and we were all riding back. Well, we were cruising down this dirt road that appeared to be free and clear of all traffic when we all of a sudden came to an abrupt halt, I mean to say the driver SLAMMED on the breaks. Apparently a little girl ran out into the street from the left side and thanks to the driver's excellent abilities he was able to miss her by inches. It not only scared him to death, but also the rest of us...but luckily no one was hurt! This is a picture of us being frightened.

So, for an afternoon activity a few of us decided to see a movie. Some of the more "mature" people went to see Angels and Demons, and the rest of us were more in the mood to act a little younger than we really are…so we opted for 17 Again, featuring none other than Zac Efron!!! Let’s just say it was well worth our $3 to giggle and whistle at the young man…a break definitely fun and well deserved!!!