The theme of our visit to Mendoza was reproductive health. It was really interesting to observe first-hand the lack of knowledge about reproductive health and to view the problems of adolescent pregnancy and immigration in Mendoza.
During our time there, we worked with local medical students on several medical health rotations.
They included:
- shifts at night in the local emergency rooms (so scary and so cool)
- sexual education for local teenagers
- house visits with agentes sanitarios in the rural district of Maipu (they pay house visits to residents in rural areas and keep track of the health of the community)
- HIV and AIDs health education
- visits to health centers and clinics that specialize in reproductive health
Other non-health related highlights included:
- a trip through the Andes and lunch
- a tour of a vineyard and a wine sampling of world-renowed Mendoza wine
Once again, so much happened and so many pictures were taken, but here are some pictures and captions to highlight some of the highlights of the trip:
Oh Alexis. She'd hate me if she knew I took this picture. However, she is my bus buddy and my partner in crime here in Buenos Aires. This girl has sat next to me (well slept next to me) for over sixty hours on buses over the last couple weeks and she still likes me. I'd say that's pretty remarkable.
Enjoying our champagne on the bus.
We survived another long bus ride and made it to Mendoza! Our hotel had these funky chairs on the sidewalk.
First day. We head out towards lunch in the Andes.
The beautiful view as we approach the Andes.
More nature shots and the Andes in the background.
In Buenos Aires, we never have our cameras out to prevent them from getting stolen. The second we find beauty and nature, the cameras come out.
Oh look it's me. Sun, the Andes and my enthusiasm of being out of the city.
Our little lunch spot in the mountains.
A food picture. Of course. Local cheese and jam that they served to us for dessert.
After a sleepless night on the bus, a much-needed rest after lunch.
Our drive through the mountains.
Abel leads the way as we get out of the bus and go explore.
Group shot in front of the Andes.
Beauty and nature.
Me in nature.
Me and Hannah.
Oh yeah we kind of love each other and like to show affection. That's what happens when you have a twenty person group and spend all your time together.
Taking in the view.
Ishaira and Dana with our program director, Ana Rita.
Later that day, we began to explore the city of Mendoza some more. This is the Spanish Plaza in the center of Mendoza.
Abel checks out the murals in another one of the plazas.
*Disclaimer: Pictures of cadavers are coming. Not for the weak of heart.
....Then, the next day, we begin our medical rotation by spending the day with the cadavers.
Part three. We begin our work at the reproductive health clinic. This is a mural painted by some of the patients.
Watching the kids at play.
However, we work hard and play hard. We have some fun too. In this picture, David and Emily play on the playground.
Part four. Our rotation at the HIV/AIDs clinic. A picture of one of our briefings with the doctors.
Oh look! Here is some more fun as well...our visit to the winery! Abel shows off the map of the vineyard and winery.
Large storage containers of wine.
Cabernet sauvignon straight from the source.
The grapes that make the yummy wine....
That then go into these vats!
Getting ready for the tour to start.
The tour begins and we are lead into the grapes processing room. These are grapes that have been harvested and are going down the slide to be processed.
They then go into these large metal containers and are mashed and pressed until...
They come out as the most delicious liquid! Basically, fermented grape juice that has not been made fully into wine.
Touring the facilities.
Posing with some old machinery.
Then, after the tour, we got some samples!
Enjoying our wine and some time off from the clinics, hospitals and our scrubs.
Part five. Our rotation with the agentes sanitarios. Posing with one of the agentes before going out into the neighborhood to do check-ups and make note of potential health problems.
Getting ready to go to the hospital for one of our shifts at the emergency room.
... After an exciting, but exhausting trip, we finally returned to Buenos Aires!
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