Clinic Blog: 2011 Paraguay Clinic Blog
July 24, 2011
Days Off
By tvermande
We had two off clinic days due to the travel arrangements to Paraguay.
You can’t get lost when the city is a grid, or so you think!!!!! Don’t try shortcuts. Joyce, Roxy, Ashley and I found a fun ice cream parlor; yet it was closed. We made it back to the hotel street, Hindenburg Avenue just in time to see some of our folks headed to a local restaurant for pizza. We heard it was some of the best pizza. Pizza is the most international food- go figure. Last night we were invited to a bbq, Paraguayan style. It was soooo cool. The meat was cooked over a bed of hot coals on the ground with the meat sandwiched between two grill plates and hooked together. It was then put on a rotating spit, way cool. After we ate, the mutual admiration exchange took place between One Sight and our government hosts. Much hand shaking and double cheek kissing. The entertainment included a wonderful guitar duet with singing. We couldn’t help but get in the mood. Even better, a brother and a sister whom have been volunteering at the clinic and driving us back and forth to the hospital for cataract surgery observation; performed a dance in traditional costume. I don’t know how they didn’t pass out. Well, that was all we needed to get our boogie on. We couldn’t get Lilliana to dance with Nuno, but he tried.
Today, our tour of a nearby village was awe striking. And, you guessed it- Nuno was a huge hit with the children as he brought balloons to blow up and turn into animals. Nuno may not make it out of Filadelfia. The dance at the village was separated by Women and Men volunteers of the tribe. They were so kind to let us take pictures- tons of pictures. A couple of the villagers spoke before we left and expressed extreme thankfulness for our visit. A more gracious host country cannot be found.
We are so sad right now, the last two hours we have been gathered on the patio watching Futbol, The Copa Americana Cup between Uruguay and Paraguay. Unfortunately for our hosts, in the end Paraguay came up short. Bummer!!!!!!! Paraguay hasn’t been to the final round in Thirty years. The streets would have been filled with motorcycles, and youth waving flags all night long. Fireworks would have lit up the sky. Now, we’re simply thinking of what to get for supper. Pizza will probably win out. Hmmmmmmm, what would we do without pizza.
Dave has been forbidden from messing with the hotel computer. It went down today, and when Dave offered his aid- it was a no go. Really that shoul not make him sad, because at least seven other team members have him on call for tech help. We do indeed have Problema technica.
Now that Futbol game is over, we are certain to have a full clinic day tomorrow. If Paraguay had won, the country was going to declare a national Holiday. We were worried no patients would travel to clinic. Even though Paraguay didn’t win- the cars and horns are beeping out in the streets. It is bound to be a madhouse tonight.
Wow, what great partners VOI are, Clarissa rocks! Let’s keep going One Sight and VOI Paraguay forever.Fascinating mixture of people in central Paraguay. Great team and leaders esp. Dr. Tosh
Dr. Robin
Well our off time is just about finished…had a great couple of days...bring on the second half of clinic…the team has bonded…many friendships being made and helping bring vision to many wonderful people…the second week of clinic will include our Silent Auction…our teams fundraising goal is $25,000 and we are sitting at 50%...we know our silent auction will bring in some great funds for OneSight but we are still looking for donations from those reading the blog…they say for every $5 donated another person can see the world…and in most cases for the first time…please help in our efforts…donate today…
M. Ross