Shannon Costello

I doubt I’ll have time to hit an internet café today, so I’m actually writing this by hand.
More adventures yesterday. The morning was steady but not too intense. We accepted any patient that showed up at the door. We would examine a woman and then she would ask if we would see her daughter…
Before lunch (which was late), we were presented with certificates and ribbons from various community groups in Portachuelo. I got to interpret most of the presentation speeches, which wasn’t terrifying like the day before- no stage- we were all standing in a big circle. I did reasonably well.
Latinos tend to kiss each other on the cheek when they greet each other (except two men never would). I think I mentioned before how one grandson of a woman who received a hearing aid kissed me on the cheek afterwards. I think he was happy with what we did.  Anyway, I’m shy about kissing cheeks so I tend to sort of aim for a cheek to cheek thing with no lip contact. Anyway, when I got my certificate, the pastor NOTICED when I did that. Later he explained that the kiss was necessary. Later I explained to him that I‘m not the cheek-kissing type. But still, I think I actually did kiss the next woman, so I guess the admonishment was good.
I forgot to mention that before lunch I spent time talking to people, which was interesting. It was much more boring for most of the team, because of the language barrier. There is a dimension to this trip they are totally missing.
After lunch, the 4 members of our team who were leaving early left to go back and we were taken to the real countryside. We left the highway and turned onto a dirt road which , while far from flat, wasn’t too bad. The driver, Omar, whom we had given a hearing test to, explained that for those roads, if you want them maintained, you often have to do it yourself. That’s ok for the wealthy landowners…
Eventually we got to a muddy stretch that the drivers preferred not to cross. We picked our way up the road, ducked through a barbed wire fence and followed a little path through coffee plants to an interesting little scene with a primitive open-air kitchen, tons or gorgeous chickens…I have a couple of pictures.
They took us around a bit and talked to us about local plants, etc. One plant had leaves that closed up when you touched them. Another was good for diabetes. We also saw birds’ nests that were really little huts built from mud and cow dung. I forgot to mention that we caught glimpses of some really interesting birds on the way there.
Andrew and I got to hold a teenage chicken. The chicken didn’t mind too much and Wayne got to take pictures and comment on the resemblance between Andrew and the chicken.
About everyone except me was ready to leave after that, but the Latinos were offering coffee and a chance to chant and see more. I stayed behind with the pastor and Marvi (who I have gotten to know somewhat and who I found out is the pastor’s girlfriend). The pastor (Carlos) had earlier explained a little bit about the countryside. The people there don’t really have people to reach out to them. Bolivians, he said, are very open to discussing faith issues. I think I wouldn’t have minded knowing that a bit sooner. Anyway, the pastor, being a pastor at heart, quickly turned the chat into a gospel presentation. Afterwards we were served sonso and coffee (which I tried hard to drink- managed a couple of sips). Sonso is smushed yucca, butter, and cheese wrapped around a stick and baked.
Afterwards we saw a school and another house (with a steep roof thatched with palm). The school was big enough for 2 classrooms. Apparently that was it- they taught younger grades and then your education is done unless you go elsewhere (leave the countryside).
We left when there was barely enough light to see the muddy path and came back to a house in Portachuelo. Carlos, Marvi and I came back to the hotel on his moto. I’m feeling smug cause I’ve ridden 3 on a moto. We got back when everyone else was eating dinner.