Very similar, but completely different: Dropping a Deuce

I always find it remarkable the "sanitation" dynamic between humans and animals, livestock primarily. We humans go to great lengths and pains to confidentially release unwanted waste from our bodies. There are even laws and fines enforced by governments to further condition and shame us into dealing with these matters privately.
Now think about a cow. A cow will look you right in the face and completely evacuate its bowels without blinking. Chewing its cud it will wistfully drop 3 pounds of waste. It seems almost passive aggressive. Imagine if humans were like that....or don't....

We spent this past weekend in a remote village, La Jagua. We had a good little crew:

From left; Hannah, Joe, Horsey McButt, Dr. Ricardo, Allison, Ryan (PC volunteers). We gathered this dynamic team to carry out a small mobile clinic in rural La Jagua, which took an hour by car and another hour by foot to reach. We had a small team of donkeys and horses meet us in the nearest town to carry our equipment up to the village. We followed them and their trail of excreta (there it is again).

La Jagua is a small village of only 75 people, which has been virtually abandoned by public service and local government. We bought $25 dollars worth of medication and not only did it last, but we left with a little less than half of what we brought! The dollar really does go farther here. Lets not get carried away. This was a general clinic where we treated headaches, colds, foot fungus and the like. We are not in the habit of doing clinics like this as it promotes dependence on outside organizations, but it was a great way to get a sense of the major health issues in the town without having to do a full blown census. Instead of going door-to-door the people came to us. Much easier :) Not to mention, any excuse to go back to this view......

....is totally worth it. We held the clinic in the school at the bottom right hand of the photo and also camped in front of it. It was colder than expected and everyone only brought a top sheet and no pilllow, no one slept and a drunk guy ran around all night screaming at the top of his lungs.....but it was a great experience. Not to mention, I got to shower outside....

......which was glorious! People pay millions of dollars to have private islands with views like I saw here and outdoor shower that overlook pure beauty...suckers. These are some salt of the earth, humble people. Talk about your sacrificial giving. They offered to make us lunch before we left, so the ladies went to their field and literally picked the beans they were to shuck and cook, found and killed the chicken and plucked the plantain from the tree. It is a zero sum game out there. If we eat their harvest, then they don't eat that harvest. Its like the widow and her few coins. Such wonderful people.

Beans

Anyways, the clinic went great and the most positive outcome was that we were able to diagnose a few previously unaware hypertensives and diabetics. Now they know whats causing those severe headaches and can start receiving treatment, even if they have to walk 2 hours to get it. We also were able to see half a dozen pregnant women whom were not taking vitamins or receiving monthly checkups. We were able to provide them with a great prenatal vitamin and refer them to the nearest clinic.

It was a wonderful weekend with great friends both foreign and domestic. I could not ask for a better job. Outside of this weekends adventure we have a full slate or programming. We have Superman, Wonder Woman (female empowerment), and Sexual Reproductive Health classes going on as well as preparing for 2 groups of volunteers in a few weeks. Things are looking good. Busier than ever :)

Ill leave you guys with a few more photos of this weekend to soothe your jealousy....