Roatan - Day 26

Today we switched our shift to the afternoon since everyone else was working the morning shift.  It gets chaotic with too many people around.  So J and I woke up bright and early to head to our dock close by… we hadn’t been for almost 2 weeks.  Turns out some other gringo girlies noticed we had vacated it and gladly took it upon themselves to put it to good use.  So we grudgingly sauntered onto the dock next to it… it would have to do.  Problem is, you can’t get to the water from it to cool off every now and then.  Next time we will beat them to it!  We didn’t last very long so we headed back to freshen up for work and eat our daily PB & J.

Amazing new discovery today!  I poured a packet of strawberry-orange flavoring (local purchase) into my water bottle and I wanted to stop between EVERY patient just so I could take a swig or two… so tasty!  Can’t wait to try mango, pineapple and coconut (separate flavors).  Already looking forward to tomorrow.

Work was a bit confusing today since we had changed shifts at the last minute.  M was counting on us for tutoring this afternoon so we got permission to leave during that time and come right back to work afterwards.  Well, turns out there weren’t enough nurses around to staff triage and pharmacy, so I was wanted in pharmacy.  Then L said she could cover pharmacy, but she’s never done it before so they turned her down.  Peggy came to staff pharmacy, but then M had already cancelled tutoring so we continued seeing patients on our own.  Those poor kids without a tutor… yeah right, I’m sure they were thrilled to no end (no exertion on their part thinking up new excuses to get out of doing their homework).  We’ll whip ‘em into shape next week.  J and I were glad to have more autonomy at work today seeing patients on our own.

MA had everyone over this evening for dinner since she is leaving on Saturday.  Wow!  Such good food… makings for chicken, beef, or shrimp tacos plus beans, coconut cilantro rice, pico de gallo, and tres leches cake.  J and I made a TASTY guacamole that was definitely a hit.  We will be making a repeat just for the two of us – avocado, red onion, tomato, mango, lime juice, and salt.  AMAZING!  J very keenly pointed out that there could be so many of us here all doing so many different things with different backgrounds and yet we all get together and have a good time.  There were a few Canadians, native Hondureños, an English lad (word choice selected in honor of England), med school students, nurses, dive instructor, wedding photographer, hostel stayers, apartment stayers, beach house stayers, etc.  You get the idea.  Plenty of diversity.  The people who permanently live here are going to miss the rest of us.  I couldn’t just up and move to a third world island permanently, that’s for sure (shocking I know)…  I need a backbone of my family and friends.