DCO Suites, Lounge & Spa Piura

... them. A new appreciation for what we have as well as a new perspective on what's important. The family unit here is so strong- everyone who came for a procedure had several family members with them, some even neighbors. <br><br>Here's a few important numbers, although as Sr Mary Jo pointed out, it's not about the numbers. It's about the lives that they represent. <br> over 200 surgeries ...

... and I've been able to talk/gesture with him about my father-in-law who also is a CAT fan-I'm going to try to get some pictures up on my computer today to show him. <br><br>An interesting experience yesterday was that we went to the market after lunch- it's so colorful and amazing to see how people get basic things-I had noticed in the shops where we hunt for diet coke that there was a lack of these items and there aren't stores ...

... records for the Sierra team I was reminded again of how blessed we are to have the care and technology at our fingertips that we do. Many patients suffer constantly with ailments that you and I can take a simple dose of tylenol or tums for and be fine. Many of the women have 6 or 8 children and have had several more miscarriages, they live like most of us can't even imagine. <br><br>Good night to all, I can't believe tomorrow is already Friday...

A highlight from today, the physicians consulted with patients today to see if they could be squeezed into the surgical schedule or if they were candidates for next year or perhaps if there were other resources available. We had a young girl show up who was born with a defect where she has no leg below the knee of her left leg. She had been wearing a boot over it and walking on both knees. at some point someone gave her crutches but didn't show her how to ...

... and we marched at lightning speed back to the hostal to get our bags. The children and I had a strict 5minute dip in the pool and a quick shower before Christie and I put the last of our things into the bag and left. We made it to the bus at 11am and it left at 11-15am. Our tickets were $1 each and $1 for the children plus $8 each for the Loja to Piura trip. <br><br>The journey back through the valley to Loja was awesome something that I didn&#8217;t see on our cramped bus ride ...

... the road narrowed slightly. They simply sound their horn, several times, and you get out of the way. Well, that's the way it's supposed to work anyway unless the hard shoulder we're supposed to get onto is full of sand, or glass, or simply doesn't exist, in which case moving over is a bit difficult. Getting side swiped by a bus travelling at 80 kph isn't funny, a couple of them today came so close I did that sucking in my stomach and holding my breath thing that ...

... his top 10 of equador (bear with him, ranking things appears to make him happy...<br><br>Don't worry, it's not going to be a Top 10 as such, just a quick nod to our 21 days in Ecuador.<br><br>Obviously we have only skimmed the surface but I reckon we may have got a taster for most of Ecuador aspects, just in a slightly basic way.<br><br>"Aspects of Ecuador" (I maybe being ignorant)<br><br>1) Great Wildlife. Now the jewel in the crown is obviously Galapagos- we saw Isla ...

On the way to Mancora to meet up with Ben, and to catch up to the sun. Bus took longer than I thought since we got a flat tire I think. We were stopped outside the tire shop for a real long time so I hope thats what it was. Off to Mancora first thing in the morning.

... what we were looking for - a bottle of propane for our camping stove....<br><br>We drove into the center of town and we got ourselves a new camera and took the time to set it up - so you will start to see some pictures again!<br><br>We left Piura, filling the bikes up with gasolilne in preparation for the 120 mile desert crossing that laid before us. As sunset approached we found ourselves in the desert near a great big ...

... and mototaxis chaotically driving in the gaps between vehicles, with everyone honking furiously. I never thought of traffic being particularily organized in Ecuador, but apparently it was. <br><br>Piura was a pleasant overnight stay, complete with a quiet vegetarian restaurant within the plaza where we happily consumed different variations of vegetable soup. ha- no chicken feet or tripe hiding in these ones!