Fiestas, Mexico, and Home Visits

Before we left for Texas, there was an insane amount of prep work we were required to do. So much so, that most of us were saying had we known what was involved, we wouldn’t have have signed on. After a few days down here, we’ve changed our minds. The experience so far has been fantastic. We are getting opportunities to participate in a variety of different facets of care, and yet the pace is just slower and so much more relaxed. It seems almost impossible for us to get too stressed around here with the summery weather, lack of external obligations, and abundance of great company. We do have an exam we have to take before we leave here and finals waiting when we get back, but even that hasn’t seemed to put a damper on my mood. Yesterday was Sunday, a day that is usually one without work down here at Holy Family. But we happened to come the weekend of their annual anniversary celebration and yesterday was the party. The event was open to anyone born here at the birth center, which it seems is a number of people! There were carnival games, pony and tractor rides, pinatas, prizes, food, and music. We spent the morning blowing up 600 helium balloons to hand out to the kids. In the afternoon we took turns manning some of ther different stations. The billions of kids running around were adorable! After we finished our work, we went out for some authentic Mexican food, which made my heart happy.  We had serveral laugh to tears moments around the meal and it was a truly good time.

Today there was only one patient in the morning clinic, so we decided to take advantage of the time and made a quick trip to Mexico. We basically went from our border town to their border town, but I can finally say as a Spanish speaking Californian that I’ve been to Mexico! We spent a couple hours browsing the tables and booths full of trinkets, and jewelry and things. It was great fun to bargain and I was so excited to find pure vanilla extract in large bottles for 95 cents! Score! I’m digging all the opportunities to use my Spanish down here and it’s not feeling quite so rusty anymore. After we had all bought our share of souvenirs and Mexican silver, we headed back to Weslaco. We grabbed a quick lunch, then Liz and I changed and headed out for a home visit. The nurse we accompanied was fantastic, explaining everything, letting us do as much as possible, and answering all our questions on the way home. We got ridiculously lost on our way there, as the name on the map and the name on the street didn’t quite match (and by that I mean they were in no way similar). An hour and a half after leaving we finally arrived at our final destination. The family we visited was great, and pictures of our visit will be coming! For now, it’s time for sleep and some sweet dreamin’. Goodnight!