First Day on the Job

K so yesterday I got like a five minute lesson on where the bus stops are in Puerto, and this morning I somehow navigated myself to a little pueblo about 15 minutes outside of town called La Barra.  I walked in the clinic and introduced myself, and the lady doctor put me right to work educating patients on nutrition, safe sex, and breast exams.  I was like, um, you sure I'm ready for this sister??  This entire experience was in Spanish.  Total crash course, completely exhausting, and just what I signed up for. 

The healthcare system here is a bit different - they have healthcare for everyone, but the rich have insurance for the private clinics, and the poor attend various grades of clinics depending on the referral of the doctor from the previous level (i.e. they have to go to their local clinic to be referred to a specialist, or a hospital).  In the entire state of Mexico where I am, there are only three hospitals, and people have to travel hours to get emergency care of the level we are used to.  It's a total bureaucracy.  One of my main jobs today was helping la doctora to fill out all the required paperwork.  That said, it was a nice little clinic, had all the basics, and they dispensed medicine on the spot.  The doctor was nice and showed me photos of her son and dogs on her computer in our down time.  Next week I head to a different clinic, but I will be at this one in La Barra all week.  

My Spanish lesson was good - I have personal one-on-one instruction.  After I was done with that it was only 6, so I went for a walk down to the Adoquin, which is a pedestrian walkway after 5 PM, touristy shops and restaurants right off the main beach (Playa Principal).  Nobody was there, I don't think people start going until after 8 PM, but it was still nice to get out and get my bearings more solid.  

Just got off Skype with Andy.  My day was Spanish minus my technology connection to back home (thank god for Words with Friends - keeping my English sharp :).  Now I'm in my little room typing this and going to sign off and get to sleep and do it all again tomorrow...hasta manana!!