We had planned on going on a horseback ride through the tobacco fields this morning, but my stomach is still in shambles. So, Jenny, Marilyn (our host) and I walked to the local clinic. For a project a few years ago I spent lots of time in Indian hospitals. The public hospitals were awful, with spotty electricity, patients sitting on the floor waiting to be seen, and no air conditioning. I saw baby feces (or maybe dog feces?) on a staircase. However, India also has private hospitals which, while not quite American, are clean and modern. They only cater to the rich.
I'm very thankful for the medical service i relieved today. These people helped me, and did so very quickly. And they did so without my signing any forms - consultation is free, as was the feces test. The pace and ease of today wouldn't have happened in the happen in the US.
Nonetheless, all you need to know about the Cuban medical system is this:
-it took 8 years for them to operate on Marilyn. So for big things like surgery, this is awful.
- for small things it isn't that bad. Today I walked into a clinic, saw the Doctora within 5 minutes, and had a feces sample analyzed within 10 (my apologies if this grosses you out). I think I was treated quickly partly because I'm American.
- the clinic wasnt as bad as the ones in India in that it was slightly cleaner, and was well-staffed. Still, the conditions were poor. The worst thing I saw was latex gloves drying in the sun. This is because they re-use re gloves (I think).
- Abel told me that all the fanfare around Cuban doctors being sent to other countries (ie to help with Ebola) isn't for humanitarianism, but because those countries pay for doctors to come.
Later that afternoon we went to a hotel on a hill overlooking the valley. It had a pool, which was refreshing and got my mind off of being sick.
In the evening we went on a walking tour to the Valle de Silencio. Our casa owner called one of her friends, who is a farmer, to lead us around the valley. He was a very nice guy - about my age - and pointed out different types of fruit and vegetation as we went along. We stopped at a collective farm to learn about coffee growing. They have to give 90% to the government, and can keep 10%. I bought some arabica beans. We watched the sunset from a restaurant patio on a hill. Of course I couldn't deny another mango juice.
Side note about food: I've had more mango here than I ever have. There are different types of mango and we've had them all. Most breakfasts had a combination of mango, pineapple, papaya (not my favorite), bread, and eggs.
Lunch is a pretty simple dish, and there's not much variety in dinner either. One shouldn't come to Cuba for the cuisine.
Back to the story...There were a handful of tourists with their big cameras (of course I have a big camera too) snapping photos. I think I'm done with lugging my big camera around. I'd rather carry my iPhone for impromptu photos. I find those to be the best. Plus I'd rather experience rather than be snapping photos.
Sunset view after the walk
Homemade dinner!
I'm very thankful for the medical service i relieved today. These people helped me, and did so very quickly. And they did so without my signing any forms - consultation is free, as was the feces test. The pace and ease of today wouldn't have happened in the happen in the US.
Nonetheless, all you need to know about the Cuban medical system is this:
-it took 8 years for them to operate on Marilyn. So for big things like surgery, this is awful.
- for small things it isn't that bad. Today I walked into a clinic, saw the Doctora within 5 minutes, and had a feces sample analyzed within 10 (my apologies if this grosses you out). I think I was treated quickly partly because I'm American.
- the clinic wasnt as bad as the ones in India in that it was slightly cleaner, and was well-staffed. Still, the conditions were poor. The worst thing I saw was latex gloves drying in the sun. This is because they re-use re gloves (I think).
- Abel told me that all the fanfare around Cuban doctors being sent to other countries (ie to help with Ebola) isn't for humanitarianism, but because those countries pay for doctors to come.
Later that afternoon we went to a hotel on a hill overlooking the valley. It had a pool, which was refreshing and got my mind off of being sick.
In the evening we went on a walking tour to the Valle de Silencio. Our casa owner called one of her friends, who is a farmer, to lead us around the valley. He was a very nice guy - about my age - and pointed out different types of fruit and vegetation as we went along. We stopped at a collective farm to learn about coffee growing. They have to give 90% to the government, and can keep 10%. I bought some arabica beans. We watched the sunset from a restaurant patio on a hill. Of course I couldn't deny another mango juice.
Side note about food: I've had more mango here than I ever have. There are different types of mango and we've had them all. Most breakfasts had a combination of mango, pineapple, papaya (not my favorite), bread, and eggs.
Lunch is a pretty simple dish, and there's not much variety in dinner either. One shouldn't come to Cuba for the cuisine.
Back to the story...There were a handful of tourists with their big cameras (of course I have a big camera too) snapping photos. I think I'm done with lugging my big camera around. I'd rather carry my iPhone for impromptu photos. I find those to be the best. Plus I'd rather experience rather than be snapping photos.
Our awesome walking guide
Sunset view after the walk
Homemade dinner!
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