So last night as we were preparing to turn in early as I mentioned, we had a surprise visit from Vanessa and none other than baby Charli. Did I mention how darn cute he is? Well, he had us all laughing and smiling for a good hour and….did I mention how cute he is??
We finally did hit the sack and again, the weather was great for sleeping. We awoke ready for another ride to the countryside and likely another busy day at Clinic Jolivert. After breakfast, we broke into groups, those going to the bush clinic mounted up and set off for another day in the mountains.
We spent 45 minutes on the road to Port de Paix, which was paved in places and did not seem like the road to a bush clinic. However, when we made a right turn off the road and headed straight up, it soon became apparent we were indeed way off the beaten path. For those who remember the trip or the nightly accounts from 2012, this last stretch of the road rivaled the road to Haut Moustique….and this time we were on motorcycles. I feel quite lucky that I have no dental crowns or fillings because I imagine those that do will need restorative dental work upon their return to the States.
Once we arrived in the village of Di Croix, we were treated to a ceremony honoring their inaugural outreach clinic. The community leaders all turned out and delivered speeches and prayers for a successful partnership between Clinic Jolivert and their community. Once concluded, we began their first clinic and it was clear the word was out. It was a packed house and at times the crowd became quite rowdy, in hopes that they would all be able to be seen before the team decided to pack up and leave. What they did not realize was that we were there to see them all….and that we did. If I am not mistaken the word was out that an experienced gerontologist was in Haiti and his name was Dr. Adam. Maybe the biggest surprise of the day was that Kitty did not have to suture, lance or rehydrate anyone…..much to her disappointment.
By all accounts, it was a great success with nearly 130 patients seen between 10:30 and 4:00. The biggest shout out goes to Kiki and Lindsay again for their fortitude in staffing the pharmacy for the second day running, in stifling conditions!! The providers may have endured 40+ patients each but they had to serve all 130 patients before the day was done.
Once all were served we made our way back to the motos with some trepidation….after all, we knew the road home would be just as bone rattling as the way there, only now we were exhausted from the day. The road did not disappoint and an hour plus later we arrived “home” covered in road dust and still vibrating. Luckily there was still some food left for us and of course some of our favorite beverages.
We will all most certainly shower off the dust and properly quench our thirsts while we enjoy another cool countryside sunset being entertained by baby Charli. Tomorrow promises to be another successful day in both Clinic Jolivert and another bush clinic, this a repeat from last year and a real bonus…an open air clinic which proves to be much cooler than the previous two.
Will share more of our story again tomorrow night. Love to all,
Adam