Day One: Filling the Blank Canvas

Awakening, dawn's chorus
Welcoming,
The day new, untouched
Waiting to be filled....

And so our journey begins.  Today was a day of travel, excitement, and exhaustion.  We all reached the Augosto C. Sandino National Aiport with Sonia´s open arms.  Sonia has been the team leader for William and Mary Medical Relief trips since 2005, and is as close any of us will get to Mother Theresa.  She is a source of inspiration, and her constant movement keeps us shifting gears.

After dropping off our bags at the Hotel Casa San Juan, we toured around Managua.  We visited a La Catedral Metropolitana, the largest Catholic diocese in Nicaragua. (See Picture below)

Sonia discussed the importance of politics in Nicaragua.  Last year, William and Mary Medical Relief visited a pediatric hospital.  Sonia informed us that the doctor who led us around the hospital was not allowed to practice pediatric surgery due to her lack of a political affiliation.  Thus Sonia being Sonia, found her a job with ISL so that she can continue her practice and aid in other individual´s pursuit of a career in pediatrics.

After our mini-tour of the city, we returned to unpack and rest.  Following a meal of chicken, vegetebles, and rice (YES!), we took inventory on all of our donated medical and dental supplies.  Catchphrase (/Carl) provided as the entertainment of the night.  Tomorrow shall be a day filled with training.  So sit tight, because the fun has just begun.
 Some pictures from the day:

WMMR 2011

Team leader- Sonia

Molly McDonough- Trip leader

Daniel Allen- Trip Leader

Greg Shank- Fundraising

Richard Stowers- Training/Education

Hannah Ugarte- Outreach/Publicity

Brooke Carrington

Allison Perz
Carl Rudebusch
Eva Szymanski
John Lovette
Kelly Cotton

Kristen Clark

Mark Hayden
Meg MacIver
Stephanie Batson