You Had Me at "Hello"

For the month of May, I will be working with Child Family Health International (CFHI) in Puerto Escondido. Our specific program takes health students and health professionals abroad to volunteer and observe local clinics and take medical Spanish classes. CFHI set us up with a local school called "Oasis" that doubles as a language and surf school. My local coordinator runs the language school (where we take Spanish classes with her) and her husband runs the surf school. I am on this trip with three other women, two in P.A. school, and one applying to medical school. So far the four of us make a solid team. As a true Wolverine, I would like to think I have mastered the true art of work and play with my peers. These past few days have been full of adventure, and I am so excited for the weeks to come.

Wherever you go, GO BLUE!

I flew into Puerto Escondido midday on Saturday. I was exhausted from the traveling and the heat. Lucky for me, I was soon greeted by my beautiful host family. I live with a woman, her daughter, and her grandson. The grandson is four years old and full of energy. He loves running into my room and jumping on my bed! His mom helps me with my Spanish and tells me where all the fun places in town are. The grandmother cooks the best food I have ever had (sorry Mom, Jorge, and Juanita). 

The grandmother just casually whipped this up for me for breakfast. The best part is, almost all the food here is naturally gluten free! WOOHOO! 

For Sunday morning, I had already made plans with my local coordinator's husband to take surf lessons. I have had minimal previous surf experience (I know, I am poor excuse for a San Diegan), so I took this chance to get back out there. 

This is the view from the top of the stairs that overlook the beach. At the bottom of the steps, the surf awaits! 

I had a blast surfing! I felt like I was flying! I am still really bad at it, but I hope to practice every weekend that I am here! 

All in all, I just so happen to land in paradise. I really did not think there was any place better than San Diego, but I was wrong. I love being under the sun and living in a small enough community so that I could walk everywhere. Most of the locals have lived here all their lives, so most people know each other. I feel very safe in this town. 

As for the work portion of this trip, I started my medical Spanish classes today. It was really tough getting back into the swing of things. My Spanish is incredibly poor, but improving daily. The language portion will be a challenge for me during this trip, but I am up for it!

Tomorrow morning, the four of us begin working in our respective clinics with a mentor. I plan on pure chaos. This will be the first time we travel outside of Puerto Escondido and we have do it alone. Also, (my fellow nursing peers can agree with me) the first day of clinical is usually nuts. And on top of that, it will all be in another language. So amidst the chaos, in typical-Maggie fashion, I plan to make a good story out of it. I'll keep you posted! :)