PAP 3

Mental note to self- never use tap water again to brush teeth in countries where the water is not drinkable. Perhaps I let my guard down because things seem different somehow this year: the streets are cleaner; and the children are smiling more. But the cramps and headache I awoke with are a reminder to stop being comfortable "on the road" and start following the rules again. Fortunately, we prepared for this possibly and the medicine is bringing me back to life. 

When we arrived this morning, a bit delayed by the inevitable traffic jams, there were already children waiting for us. But the gymnasium had been reserved for badminton practice and several highly skilled players were practicing their drills. So we worked around them for the first 45 minutes, screening our young charges and occasionally we stopped to applaud a particularly good shot. 

I have really enjoyed this venue, but tomorrow we head out to a poorer area. Having treated all the schools in the Adjunct Mayors district, today we are seeing children from a poor parochial school and others from community centers throughout the city. We have been featured on the PAP news programs so that the public is aware of the free care that we are providing. Yet, it is Thursday and we know many parents are working, and unable to bring their children themselves. 

This morning I tried to play a dental psychology game. By studying the facial expressions and body language of the children who Bob was screening, I tried to predict who had tooth problems and would end up in my extraction line. My game failed miserably- or I was looking for the wrong clues. Many happy and smiling children required extractions while several serious faces had no problems at all. 

It's after noon now and we are waiting for the last two buses of children to arrive. It's become super hot and with a lull in the activity the heat is much more noticeable. We'll finish the day with a wrap up meeting at the Olufson Hotel. A beautiful, building that was once a hospital, with twelve foot ceilings, that sits on the side of a mountain overlooking the city and the ocean in the distance. 

Tomorrow we had to Carrefor, a town adjacent to PAP. It will be much poorer. But tonight we celebrate Jeff's birthday and a successful trip so far.