Work Hard, Play Hard

Hello Everyone!

I am so sorry I have not updated my blog in a week. I have been so busy volunteering at the clinic. The last two weeks I have worked two doubles instead of one and although it does not seem that bad it has been tiring. I'm pretty sure I have been at the clinic everyday except 2 or 3 since I arrived in Davao. I will try and update you really quick on what has been going on.

BIRTHDAYS

Catch #4 Kyell Deven 7/2/12

Catch #5 Daisy Rhei 7/6/12

Another busy shift with five new babies!

Mama and Papa

The family of my second catch came for their baby check in matching t-shirts.

Are they not the most adorable family ever?!

SNORKELING

Last Saturday about 40 students, family members, interns, and visitors went on a snorkeling boat trip. We swam and snorkeled all day in the nice warm sun. I only saw a few fish but the entire floor was covered in coral so that was fun to look at. We could not even put our feet down unless it was deep. Some of the kids on the trip dove down and were able to find starfish. For lunch we stopped on one of the islands and had a picnic which everyone brought an item of food. It was a fun trip and I was glad to get some sun. (Probably only cost about $10 USD for the day)

                                  

  

Just a few of us from the clinic. You think we are doing peace signs but no....We are midwives so that is definitely measuring a cervix pose.

JACK'S RIDGE

One night a few of us went to Jack's Ridge for supper. It is a well known place in town that has a few restaurants that over look the entire city. Some people hold their wedding there while other just meet their lover on a bench to watch the sunset. The only creepy thing is that there is a huge grave yard down below.

Squeeeeezing in a taxi

A restaurant overlooking the city

Tilly, Me, Casey, Salome, Lorie

The cemetery down below

 

WHITE WATER RAFTING

Five of us students/interns decided to take a risk at white water rafting. It cost about $40 USD and included rafting for four hours, the alligator park which was more of a zoo, zip lining, lunch, a t-shirt, and two DVD's with pictures and videos from the day. Just between us five girls we had 3 from the USA, one from Canada, and one living in China. Another couple joined our group and they were from Germany/Australia. A second boat went with us which was filled with Filippino boys our age, one who actually lives in NY but visits often. So we were really representing quite a few countries. We drove an hour out of the city to the Bukid where we were surrounded by mountains. Huge rock walls were on either side of us throughout our way down the river. Several times we saw people showering in the river or they had their cow tied up in or beside the river bank. At one point there were even what looked like wires hanging over our head for electricity. We found out they were pipes that locals had put in the rock wall to collect spring water and were stretching across the river to their village which was nowhere in sight for us.
We had an awesome group and a lot of fun. The first two rapids went well and I was posing for pictures at the end of each one. The third rapid was called the washing machine. Lets just say I got the spin cycle and maybe a little more! We hadn't caught on yet that our guide would hit rocks on purpose so we could get some good pictures. We hit a huge rock and capsized, sending everyone into the river. I found myself under the water for a minute getting spinned around. My knee hit a rock pretty hard before I made it to the surface. I began to float down the river a few feet before I got washed by the strong current onto the top of another huge rock! I literally got washed up one side and had to jump down from the rock on the other other side to get back in the river! Everyone said I looked like a mermaid. I beg to differ. I'm sure it was quite the site! The raft got so far ahead the camera man finally had to pick me up in his kayak. Through the rest of the rapids I was a little more timid and sat in the middle of the raft when things got rough!

Really? Our guide couldn't miss this big rock?

Tilly is afraid of heights and did the zip line.

You rock Tilly!

TAXI STORIES

So whenever there is about 4 or 5 of us we usually take a taxi because it would  be the same price or cheaper &  we   get air condition and to our location faster! We have this secret way to get taxi though since you are only suppose to fit 3 in the back seat or the driver could get fined. The girl who jumps in the front seat is suppose to immediately start talking to the driver while the other four or five quickly squeeze in the back before he can say anything. Most drivers don't care except our last one. We were on our way to go white water rafting when five of us tried to pile into a taxi. The driver told us right away that he could only take four people. We kind of acted like we didn't know what he was saying and squeezed the door shut and smiled at him. He told us he would get fined but one of the students talked to him in Visayan and told him one would hide. After a few minutes he finally let in and laughed about it. I have never seen a cop and the ones I have seen have been on foot looking for motorcycle that have too many people on them (today I saw 6, family vehicle I suppose). So anyway it was rush hour and the road was packed. We made it a few blocks when who was in the median but a cop on foot! We  quickly tossed bags on the girl who was ducking. The driver thought it was pretty funny even though he had told us earlier it would be a 2,000 peso fine.

Sorry I had to do a quick summary. Hope it wasn't boring! Talk to you soon.
-Kelsey