From The Amazon To The Andes

On the night of Nov 5, we were invited to another dinner sponsored by local Rotarians.  The venue was exceptional compared to the local hostels, hotels, and eating establishments we have seen and experienced.  This was a hotel with cabins, a pool,  and a restaurant.  We were greeted at the door by the Rotarians and enjoyed another delicious Ecuadorian dinner and the unexpected delight of a Shua singer and young dancers.

Arriving at the hostel after dinner, we were all very tired but had to pack our things to ready for moving out of our rooms in the morning.  

Waiting for her prescription

November 6 was a half day clinic in another community of Macas.  Our Rotarian hosts had the community hall set up so that all we had to do was unload the bus of supplies.  Their effort was noticed by then entire team.  In no time we were addressing the needs of the less fortunate.  

It was noticed by a couple team members that word has spread; a few people from previous days clinics have shown up at this clinic looking for another free pair of glasses. 

Lunch was a chicken, cheese, mushroom, lettuce and tomato sandwich on a sub bun.  Of course we had pop and water to wet the whistle.

Marina had attempted to cut off the patients at 1:30 but they kept arriving. The team

accommodated the few who, with their story or explanation for being late, made it

through the door.  We finally saw the last patient in time to pack our gear and glasses and make our way to the airport.  The team flew to Quito while Angel drove the bus nine hours, with all our gear aboard, to meet us at our hotel on the outskirt of  Quito.   

We arrived at the Hotel Santa Fe around 7:00 P.M., thirsty and hungry. We had a fine dinner and sang happy birthday to Allison, who celebrated a birthday thirty-something birthday.  Angel arrived close to midnight.

At the hotel there was an issue with the internet and most of us could not log on to email, FaceTime or Skype our loved ones.  It was frustrating.  

November 7, we enjoyed an American breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, fruit, fresh orange juice, and coffee.  

Clinic location is in the Andes in the town of Malachingui, northeast of Quito. It was a two and a half hour bus ride to get here.  I feel as though we are on top of the world. It is dry and dusty.  It is windy with a touch of coolness to the air. People who live in the area are bundled in pants, long shirts, hats, and sweaters or jackets.  They are short in height and at only five feet, I feel tall standing next to most of these people.

Again we were appreciative for the preparations prior to our arrival.  These Rotarians somehow managed to learn how we like to set up and had the small community hall prepared.  We were each greeted with affection and a dozen roses. In addition, they had pop, water, tea and coffee laid out on the table for us to help ourselves.  There were fresh baked cookies and fresh-made leaf cheese (similar to mozzarella).  The cheese was described as leaf cheese because when removed from the wrapper, you unrolled it and it was flat like a leaf.  To top the cookies was what was described as jelly, but it was more like a caramel sauce in a pouch that you squeeze onto the cookie. Many am members tried it and liked it.

The patients, most of them seniors, were bussed to the clinic from four different regions.
 We could tell when a new region arrived by their distinct dress. We also noticed many of the seniors suffered from cognitive challenges unfortunately initiated while in the womb and from the mother's lack of iodine.  The people in this region grow what they eat and because of the altitude, iodine-rich plants do not grow in this region, we were told.  The iodine diet issues were discovered fifty or sixty years ago. Iodine is now added to the table salt to counter the effects of an iodine-free diet.

We were  treated to lunch in a little building where seniors come to eat each day.  The cooks, two women prepared quinoa soup with cheese, chicken, rice and a vegetable melody of peas, potato, apple and broccoli.  Cake was served for dessert.

In order to enjoy lunch, we split into two teams - one team stayed to work and the other team was escorted to lunch through the village streets.

Today I believe we have seen the poorest of the poor and the most elders at one clinic since arriving in Ecuador.   They have also been the most appreciative and thankful.  The hugs, handshakes and kisses were endless.  Team members have commented on the respect the young pay the elders; helping to move elders from station to station, helping elders understand instructions and offering their seats to the elders.  Amy, one of the optometrists, claims that this has been the toughest day so far yet the most rewarding.

This has also been our longest day, leaving the hotel at 7:30 A.M. and still dispensing glasses at  5:15 P.M. with about 30 patients to complete. 

I believe every one of us fell asleep on the bus ride back to the hotel.  Shortly after arriving at the hotel we soon made our way to the restaurant.  Unfortunately, the internet was not co-operative again causing much consternation for those of  us wanting to contact family at home.