Friday, December 23, 2011
BACK IN LA
We are back home in LA after an eventful and memorable 2 weeks in Honduras. The group had a great time interacting with patients and providing dental care and OHI to the people of Honduras. It was an invaluable experience to witness a different culture and gain an understanding and appreciation of their customs. We had a priceless time in Roatan – getting to know eachother on a more personal level and forming a close-knit fam! J
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Fun and games, until someone gets hurt
The weather has been beautiful in Roatan..warm and sunny, with no clouds in sight!! Everyone has had a relaxing time being lazy in the sun, sun-bathing, and lounging around all day!
On Monday, the group decided to go snorkeling...It started off as a thrilling boat ride with our favorite boat taxi guy Eddie. We had to swim to the snorkeling destination from the boat (Sakib stayed aboard, as we didn't want him and his bloody finger to attract any sharks.) The swim was tough, and we all probably swallowed more seawater than is healthy, but we were rewarded by a beautiful view of the coral reefs and a deep underwater chasm. However, the splendor was short-lived and the coral reef quickly lost its charm when a wave dashed us upon the sharp coral. After a few moments of pain and confusion, as we knew not which way to swim to get out of the coral, we were back in open water, tired and injured. We then whined to Eddie "we want to go hoooooome." It seemed like forever before we got back to the room. Luckily, we already had first-aid medicaments from Sakib's previous injury. Naman was the only one who remained unscathed. Oh, and Samir, who of course rubbed it in that we should have stayed home like him.
Come Tuesday, our superficial wounds and pride were restored. We spent the day mostly relaxing, learning from our previous experieces that doing stuff hurts. A group of three - Melanie, Jay, and Sapna - decided to be brave and go "pet" dolphins. The rest of us decided that having drinks at the floating bar then "walking the plank" sounded safer. The captain of the bar was quite a character. A professional sailor and alcoholic. An inspiring story, really - just goes to show that if you're passionate about your vision, you can make it happen. Luckily, we made it back to shore safely.
Before last night, the score stood at 0-2 in Roatan's favor vs. Us. But this was our chance for an epic rebound: Bananarama Quiz Night. Sakib, Samir, Sapna, and Barrett took home the win out of 8 teams. This brought the score to 1-2 Roatan. However, we evened it up by obnoxiously preforming the "UCLA clap" afterwards. Boo-yah.
With 1.5 days left, still running on the steam from last night, we're determined to show this island who's boss. SCUBA - bring it on!
On Monday, the group decided to go snorkeling...It started off as a thrilling boat ride with our favorite boat taxi guy Eddie. We had to swim to the snorkeling destination from the boat (Sakib stayed aboard, as we didn't want him and his bloody finger to attract any sharks.) The swim was tough, and we all probably swallowed more seawater than is healthy, but we were rewarded by a beautiful view of the coral reefs and a deep underwater chasm. However, the splendor was short-lived and the coral reef quickly lost its charm when a wave dashed us upon the sharp coral. After a few moments of pain and confusion, as we knew not which way to swim to get out of the coral, we were back in open water, tired and injured. We then whined to Eddie "we want to go hoooooome." It seemed like forever before we got back to the room. Luckily, we already had first-aid medicaments from Sakib's previous injury. Naman was the only one who remained unscathed. Oh, and Samir, who of course rubbed it in that we should have stayed home like him.
Come Tuesday, our superficial wounds and pride were restored. We spent the day mostly relaxing, learning from our previous experieces that doing stuff hurts. A group of three - Melanie, Jay, and Sapna - decided to be brave and go "pet" dolphins. The rest of us decided that having drinks at the floating bar then "walking the plank" sounded safer. The captain of the bar was quite a character. A professional sailor and alcoholic. An inspiring story, really - just goes to show that if you're passionate about your vision, you can make it happen. Luckily, we made it back to shore safely.
Before last night, the score stood at 0-2 in Roatan's favor vs. Us. But this was our chance for an epic rebound: Bananarama Quiz Night. Sakib, Samir, Sapna, and Barrett took home the win out of 8 teams. This brought the score to 1-2 Roatan. However, we evened it up by obnoxiously preforming the "UCLA clap" afterwards. Boo-yah.
With 1.5 days left, still running on the steam from last night, we're determined to show this island who's boss. SCUBA - bring it on!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Fun and games, until Sakib gets hurt
Today we went to the grocery store via a water bus. Kelly got us a super cheap deal for the ride. ;)
There was blood everywhere. The parrots yelling in the background combined with the yelps of our wounded colleague destroyed the serenity of what was once a beautiful day. All the hope we had of having a nice and relaxing vacation was lost with the skin that came off of Sakib's lacerated finger. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I focused through his piercing screams to suture the wound that spanned his entire hand. With every stitch, I saw his life force leaving him, just as quickly as the blood splattered on the ground. Although this was all a gross exagerration, Sakib did indeed cut his finger. When the zip-linning man says don't touch the wire, it is in the best interest of you and your digits to listen to him. Don't worry concerned parents, friends, and random people that somehow ended up on this website, he is completley fine.
So as you may have figured out by now, we went zip-lining today after an extended wait for a bus that was supposed to take us there. It was 10 minutes away for about 45 minutes until we could finally be an hour late to our 2 O'Clock appointment at the zip-lining place. It was a fun event, although after 2 or 3 lines, and doing the 3 or 4 things you could do on the zip-line, it got somewhat repetitive. Except for Ree-ann, she thought it was fun the whole way through. Clown (Clouwn as Ree-ann says it). However, after the lining of the zip, we were taken through the various enclosures with monkies and parrots and allowed to interact with these critters. They loved Jay's tallness and seemed to focus on him as a source of tree climbing.
Anyways, it was another amazing day in paradise away from dental school...
Remember kids, don't touch the wire. Sakib. Too soon.
xoxo Naman
ps I spooned Samir on the zip-line, it was magical.
Please excuse any spelling mistakes, I never learned how to read or rite good. Teehee.
So as you may have figured out by now, we went zip-lining today after an extended wait for a bus that was supposed to take us there. It was 10 minutes away for about 45 minutes until we could finally be an hour late to our 2 O'Clock appointment at the zip-lining place. It was a fun event, although after 2 or 3 lines, and doing the 3 or 4 things you could do on the zip-line, it got somewhat repetitive. Except for Ree-ann, she thought it was fun the whole way through. Clown (Clouwn as Ree-ann says it). However, after the lining of the zip, we were taken through the various enclosures with monkies and parrots and allowed to interact with these critters. They loved Jay's tallness and seemed to focus on him as a source of tree climbing.
Anyways, it was another amazing day in paradise away from dental school...
Remember kids, don't touch the wire. Sakib. Too soon.
xoxo Naman
ps I spooned Samir on the zip-line, it was magical.
Please excuse any spelling mistakes, I never learned how to read or rite good. Teehee.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Nothing but beach and sunshine! :)
Hi everyone!
Our last night in Guaimaca was definitely bittersweet. While we were happy we accomplished more than we ever imagined we would, we were also leaving our new friends after a week.
Dr. Graves decided to celebrate our last day there with a Super Mario pinata. ;)
Indeed we have arrived safely in Roatan. The beach here is amaaaazing. We were a little worried that there would not be enough sunshine when we arrived because it has been raining in Guaimaca, but once we stepped out of the airport, we realized that warmth was definitely not something that Roatan would be short of.
I'll end this entry with a picture of the breathtaking shores of Roatan. Tomorrow it's off to do some zip lining and snorkeling.
Thanks for reading! :)
-Mel &friends
Our last night in Guaimaca was definitely bittersweet. While we were happy we accomplished more than we ever imagined we would, we were also leaving our new friends after a week.
Indeed we have arrived safely in Roatan. The beach here is amaaaazing. We were a little worried that there would not be enough sunshine when we arrived because it has been raining in Guaimaca, but once we stepped out of the airport, we realized that warmth was definitely not something that Roatan would be short of.
Starting with some refreshing drinks and good food, we were ready to go off for a swim!
Thanks for reading! :)
-Mel &friends
First day in Roatan!
We have landed safely in Roatan, and have settled in to our beach house! :) The sun, the sand, and the ocean have been a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of clinic. Looking forward to keeping all of you guys posted on our activities!
Clinic Goodbye!
Today, we had an early start to get to the airport - waking up at 3:30am to load the bus. Even though we are here at the airport loving the McDonalds and Dunkin donuts, we are also reminiscing about our wonderful time here in Guaimaca.
Our last clinic day was filled with extractions, cleanings, restorations....and our big TV debut!!! We were asked to give an OHI presentation to the locals complete with video coverage of the clinic and Powerpoint slides for them to keep. The gratitude expressed by the patients really made all the work worthwhile.
After a long day of clinic, we got to celebrate with a final feast! Dr. Graves even presented us with a mascot, a SuperMario pinata, that brightened our spirits and prepared us for clinic clean-up. After clean-up, we had one last stop at our favorite ice cream parlor, Eskimo. When we got back, we packed up our things and recapped our favorite moments. Will update soon once we get into Roatan!
Our last clinic day was filled with extractions, cleanings, restorations....and our big TV debut!!! We were asked to give an OHI presentation to the locals complete with video coverage of the clinic and Powerpoint slides for them to keep. The gratitude expressed by the patients really made all the work worthwhile.
After a long day of clinic, we got to celebrate with a final feast! Dr. Graves even presented us with a mascot, a SuperMario pinata, that brightened our spirits and prepared us for clinic clean-up. After clean-up, we had one last stop at our favorite ice cream parlor, Eskimo. When we got back, we packed up our things and recapped our favorite moments. Will update soon once we get into Roatan!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Honduras Dental Mission December 2011: Day 4 of Clinic
Only about a day and a half left here to treat all of the people of Guiamaca and the surrounding villages! We've been working extremely hard to see as many patients as possible because today is our last full day of clinic. Tomorrow we do not have a full afternoon schedule because we need to start packing up the clinic. We leave Guaimaca at 4am on Saturday so we will not have any time to do any organizing other than Friday afternoon/evening. We all really wish we could fill every tooth in every patient's mouth that needs saving and that we had the time to do root canals on more patients, but we just don't have the equipment and time. There are Honduran dentists who come to Guiamaca and a dentist who comes in from Tegulcigalpa once a month to do half price dentistry. So we have really been stressing to the people here the importance of seeing those dentists and getting the work done that we did not have time to get to. Apparently those dentists really struggle for business here because everyone just waits for our ASDA team to come every few months. But we have been telling everyone that if they don't get care from those dentists, then the next time our dental mission comes down here they will need to have their teeth pulled. The amount of calculus we have been seeing on these people's teeth has been crazy. When we ask them to show us how they are brushing their teeth, many of them show us that they just scrub the outer surfaces of their teeth and don't ever brush the inner surfaces. We've stressed to every patient the importance of oral hygiene and the need to brush every surface for two minutes, two times a day, AND to use floss.
Yesterday, after clinic some of us went with Sister Maria to see the all girls catholic boarding school that the church sponsers. It was BEAUTIFUL. Definitely the nicest building in Guaimaca. Sister Maria told us that just about everything in the school was donated by different groups of people in the US and that was how they were able to establish such an amazing school/building. Walking to the school was the first time we ever left our little clinic/housing nook and really got to see some parts of Guaimaca. They have everything here you would need! We walked by lots of little grocery stores, clothing stores, a gym, and a barbershop! We took pictures of our outing, but not on the camera that can hook up to the computers here so you'll have to wait until we have the correct cable.
But here are some more pictures of everything for you enjoyment!
OH, and Samir just told me to add that he's making a poster that says "DO NOT SUCK ON MANGOS!" and putting it outside where the patients wait/are screened.
Yesterday, after clinic some of us went with Sister Maria to see the all girls catholic boarding school that the church sponsers. It was BEAUTIFUL. Definitely the nicest building in Guaimaca. Sister Maria told us that just about everything in the school was donated by different groups of people in the US and that was how they were able to establish such an amazing school/building. Walking to the school was the first time we ever left our little clinic/housing nook and really got to see some parts of Guaimaca. They have everything here you would need! We walked by lots of little grocery stores, clothing stores, a gym, and a barbershop! We took pictures of our outing, but not on the camera that can hook up to the computers here so you'll have to wait until we have the correct cable.
But here are some more pictures of everything for you enjoyment!
OH, and Samir just told me to add that he's making a poster that says "DO NOT SUCK ON MANGOS!" and putting it outside where the patients wait/are screened.
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