Gringos Everywhere

August 17, 2011

Afternoon

So after lunch, we headed out to tour the clinics. As mentioned in the main Bolivia page, CSRA has three clinics in Montero - Cruz Roja, Distrito 2 and Villa Cochabamba.

We started off after lunch to Cruz Roja.In the beginning, the Red Cross building consisted only of a few rooms.

Original section of Cruz Roja

Daniel (our on-site coordinator/translator)
Listening to the history of Cruz Roja

However, they expanded over the years, now a larger building consisting of a maternity ward,

Learning about the maternity ward

several rooms for consultations and dental visits as well as a place for doctors and nurses to cook and rest.

Soccer stadium viewed from the kitchen on the top floor

Neighborhood surrounding Cruz Roja

Our second stop yielded one of the best quotes of the trip by far.

Distrito 2

Distrito 2 serves mainly pergnant women and children in the area, including children who attend school in the neighborhoods surrounding the clinic since their visits are covered by the government. As we took a tour around Distrito 2, we also wandered over into the park across the street.

Naddi and Mike running across the street.

Naddi and Mike even joined in on a soccer game that just started.But the best part had yet to come. Walking back to the front entrance of Distrito 2, we saw a full car drive by. The next thing we knew, everyone was keeled over laughing as Steve and Daniela translated what they had yelled.

It's raining gringos!

Our last stop of the day was Villa Cochabamba. Here, at this clinic, they have a TB room where they keep track of the residents with tuberculosis, monitor their health and distribute their medicine. As part of the Tb program, medication and treatment is free if a patient lives in the area; therefore, many families moved into the area to take advantage of the available services. However, due to the cost and the fear of spreading Tb as well as the possibility of becoming resistant to the medication, patients are sometimes jokingly cautioned against leaving the area or missing a day. Family members are also held responsible for the infected patient.

After looking at the facilities, we walked back to Pinocho, stopping by the market along the way. And so, we passed our first day in Montero. But the best had yet to come.

Tomorrow, we would enter locked gates, surrender our electronics and join the jailed.

It's Raining Gringos!

August 17, 2011

Morning

Weaving down one way streets, we made our way to our hotel for the next 12 days. Still mildly dazed from the plane and bus ride, it took a few moments before it was apparent that we were to get off, grab our luggage and go inside.Residencial Pinocho

First order of business was to decide where each of us would stay. Thankfully, the math worked out perfectly. 4 males. 5 females. Three 2 bed rooms. And one 3 bed room.

Boys were divided as such. Naddi/Dimitry and Steve/Mike.From left to right: Steve, Mike, Dimitry, Naddi

Girls had the luxury of a three or two bed room. Dr. Shupe had the pleasure of spending her 2 week Bolivian break with Daniela and Andrea. Tram and I shared the last room.From left to right: Tram, Daniela, Dr. Shupe, Andrea, Jen

With a few hours until lunch and meeting up together again, some of us took an early siesta while the rest decided to venture out in search of the plaza, money changers and a possible market despite being unable to speak Spanish.

Walking straight up the street about 5-6 blocks, Dr. Shupe, Andrea and I found the plaza. An open space with benches, a few statues and giant murals, it looked like the perfect place to stop after a late breakfast on the weekend. We made the most of our time, finding a money lender and exchanging some dollars for Bolivianos before exploring. The rate during our trip was about 6.8. With about half an hour to spare, we decided to walk back to Pinocho and get ready for lunch.

The trip was just beginning...