If there is one word that describes Quito, it's colour. Everywhere you go, you see and feel colour. Quito is a city nestled in an Andean valley flanked by volcanic peaks and at almost every turn, you see houses and buildings painted in bright shades of colour. Go to the any market and it's almost an assault to your eyes. Colour everywhere. Ecuadorians themselves radiate so much warmth, it's impossible not to feel it.
Photo courtesy of Shan Lu
With Erica (nurse) and Karen (layperson) outside Otavalo Market.
The first day in Quito is all about acclimatization. You have to give your self some time to get used to the high altitude. Quito being the highest official city in the world (9350 ft or so above sea level), one has to be prepared to experience serious altitude sickness. One flight of stairs and you are out of breath. (Or maybe I should just revive that gym membership?)
But I digress.
On Saturday, (resting day) a few of us take a two hour drive outside the city to Otavalo market. Highly recommended if you are ever in this part of the world. Bargains galore. In the evening, the two teams have a chance to meet and socialize at the CAMTA Team dinner. It's the only night all the members are together in one place. The buzz and chatter is non stop. As team one leaves, team two steps in for 10 days. At least 60 Ecuadorians will be be operated on by the time the mission is over.
Sunday Feb 29th: Clinic Day
It's clinic day today. The real work begins. Too bad if you haven't acclimatized! About 80 patients are assessed by a team of doctors, anesthetists, physiotherapists and nurses. Some are turned down mostly because it's too risky to perform surgery on them. Those that qualify for surgery leave with beaming smiles and hearts full of hope. Imagine the joy parents of a child who has had club feet all their life, unable to have a normal childhood, feel when told that a mere 3 hours of surgery will change their child's life. Or the pride a man who qualifies for a Total Hip Replacement surgery feels knowing that he will finally be able to live a pain free life and more importantly, provide for his family. Small things we all take for granted.
My main job on clinic day is to help register patients who will be assessed by the medical team. Many have come from miles away and still, they wait ever so patiently for their turn. Each of them hopeful. They hug you for simply registering them on the system. To them, this is the first step towards a better life. To me, this mission if anything, is a personal lesson on gratitude.
A little girl called Paulina (about five years old) shyly tugs at my scrubs and motions to her mum holding a cell phone. She wants a photo with me. I happily oblige and ask the mum to do the same on my phone. She gives me a hug and runs back to her beaming mom. I am guessing they made the cut.
Hard at work.
With Greg (IT person).
Beautiful Paulina!
With Rachel, 16 year old local student who translates for us whenever she can. (Note to self: teach my kids the importance of volunteering)
Clinic Day.
Bus ride back to the hotel.
The day flies by so fast. We leave for the hotel at 6:30 pm. A quick chat with my boys before I call it a day. Mandla cheekily informs me that their dad made them popcorn and BURNT it! (Seriously Syd?). Tatenda, who loves all things popcorn, said it was delishas (delicious). Not sure who to believe here...
Buenos noches!
Love,
Sandy
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