Clinicas Medicas San Jose and other stuff...

This morning we took a trip to the health clinic. They were doing physicals on some of the students from Cambianda Vidas School. Dr, Rivas the pediatrician was working with 2 med students from England who have been working in another area in Guatemala. The Moms bring the children to the clinic for their exams. I noticed every child leaves with some kind of medicine. Dr Rivas told me many of them have stomach problems because the water they drink is not clean. He also said that the other big problem is respiratory from the open fires that they cook over in their homes withour proper ventilation. The strange thing about that is when we build homes and we offer a stove some family's refuse as it is their tradition to cook over an open fire. I had some fun with the kids. I let them take pictures of each other with my camera. It never ceases to amaze me how hard they laugh when they view the picture they took on the camera..

We had taken a taxi out to the clinic and we told him he did not have to wait. When we left the clinic we could not find a taxi sooooo...yes......we boarded the chicken bus to return back to Antigua.  What a riot. Phil said it is inconceivable that the tires on the bus could be any balder. Those busses are so unsafe, however it is a major source of transportation for the people of Guatemala. They are all independently owned and operated, there fore it is often a race to the next bus stop.They drive so fast and have no qualms about riding on the wrong side of the road. We made it safely back to Antigua and were dropped at the back side of the market. This is a typical market that sells just about anything. We were at the backside where there is many choices of typical food. I have to say it does not look that inviting to my friends and I  but it is very satisfying to the locals. As for me...no gracias. The market is facinating there is so much to see...there are so many people selling things that you cannot keep track. You could easily get lost in this market. They sell everything here. Food, fruit, shoes, music, sporting items, glasses...you name it and it is here. If you can't find it here they don't make it.
The rest of the day we just meandered around, heard some great music in the park and saw some young people performing traditional dances. There was a terrential down pour for about a half hour, it rained so hard the middle of the cobblestone streets were filled with pools of water. It was a good day and the anticipation of meeting our family and starting construction on their home is growing. Just an FYI-cannot get rid of the yellow highlight for the life of me...