It is so hot that I'm surprised my exhausted brain can function enough to write this! It is 4:30 pm and I'm sitting at our host's table typing while most members of my team are either sleeping or taking a shower. We have just finished our fifth clinic; somewhere around 70 people were treated by the doctor or dentist, and our natural remedial therapists saw many people as well.

Out of all people here, the children are my favorite to work with. They typically approach eyeing the equipment nervously, but warm up quickly with a little caring attention. Smiling, talking to them (even in English) making faces or funny noises never fails to get a happy response.

The highlight of our day, however, was unquestionably the drive to the clinic site. At 7:00 this morning we looked outside the house to see a rusty white cattle truck pull up and one of our translators hop out. We soon discovered this was to be our transportation to our next village, and with much jostling and happy chatter, everyone climbed aboard. Our host originally told me I couldn't go with them but had to ride in the other normal car because of my booted foot, but with much sad faces on my part and pleading on my team member's part, I was allowed to grab my bags and hoist myself up into Ol' Joy on Wheels.

Saying that riding in the back of a cattle truck is fun would be an understatement. Planting my one good foot in the middle of the wooden bed, using protruding nails for support, I clutched the plank railing with one hand and balanced my Nikon D7000 with the other, happily taking pictures and peering through the floorboards at the dirt road passing beneath us. We moved easily with swaying truck, dust and damp jungle smell swirling around us. We must have made quite a sight, barreling down the road, scrubs flapping in the wind, laughing and making mooing noises we passed through the villages along our route. People waved and watched amusedly, and I'm sure we loco Gringos are the subject of local ledged even now.

Another steriotypical myth has been debunked for us this week. After days of tacos, tortillas and every other traditional Mexican dish we were puzzled to find they contained no beans whatsoever! Apparently beans are only used in the Americanized Mexican dishes, for no matter what local food we ate there was not a bean in sight.

The food here is very different than anything we are used to, and every day we are intrigued or disgusted by another local delicacy. Today during clinic our dentist walked in with an icy brownish-looking substance in a plastic cup which he was slurping with relish. To our inquiries he explained that it it was a Tamarind snow cone with hot sauce and chili powder, that he had bought from teenage vendors with a covered bicycle cart. Some of us went out to try the same, but without the hotsauce, and were surprised to find it very pleasent and refreshing.

Young children and even teenagers are very thoughtful and pleasant. Today during our clinic a family living across the street volunteered their use of their bathroom facilities for our team. The bathrooms were spacious, clean and deliciously cool, and after emerging one child guided me to a sink and soap while another held a towel for me to dry my hands. The family was all smiles and the father spoke ajust enough English to make us feel at home.

Our team and translators are the only ones who speak English. Period. And the rare instances of coming across someone who can speak or at least understand a bit of our language is like a breath of fresh air. Every single one of these cases have lived and worked in the United States, namely Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, and Illinois.

So far our experience with the people has been great, but since we don't speak the language, its hard to see the impact our work is making on the community and the individuals themselves. However, our hosts have forwarded to us conversations and experiences with the locals during our clinics, and the stories we hear are inspiring and heartwarming. But that's another blog in itself.

Thanks for coming along with me on this adventure, be sure to keep up! There is no doubt much more to come...