Market Day

I had too much excitement last night to write about the hospital so I will try and write about it, now. I still never figured out what was going on with the man who could not move his legs but seemed to have normal sensation. I found out it’s because the doctor, who sees the male patients, is Cuban. Her documentation is very brief due to her limited English. I introduced myself to her and she said hi, and then proceeded to talk to me in Spanish. I had absolutely no idea what she was saying! I’m sure she is knowledgeable but it does not give me a chance to know their medical background. The Ghanaian doctor told me he sometimes looks at her patients, too, so he can explain what’s going on to the nurses, but he does not want to step on any one’s toes. I told him I appreciated any information. He is a very thorough physician. I know he makes do with the resources he has available; however, I can tell he is often only making an educated guess. He refers when appropriate!

The stroke patient who is 32 is making excellent improvement! The brain is remarkable. Yesterday, the doctors told him he’d be blind in his left eye so he was very depressed when we worked with him. Today, he was able to see out of the eye and was so happy!! His balance was much improved. We no longer had to help steady him while walking. He still looks like a tree branch blowing in the wind, but he is now able to right himself on his own when he is thrown off balance. I feel this will improve to almost normal levels in a few weeks! My one area of concern, which I feel may be his main issue for years to come, is his foot drop. I educated Celestine on the importance of addressing this early to avoid plantar flexion contracture. He has some volitional control of dorsiflexion so I think it should improve. I hope he continues to come to therapy as an outpatient since he was discharged today.

I only worked until noon today. They had a meeting this afternoon so there was no point in me sticking around. Millie and I went to the market so I could buy Christmas gifts for everyone! Gift giving has become such a huge part of an American Christmas that I want to give a little bit of our culture to them, too! They are getting compensated for me to stay with them; however, they have been so hospitable that I want to give them gifts!

The market was even more crowded today then the first time I went! It was the last market day before Christmas so everyone was out and about getting their supplies. The market is a cross between the grocery store, a flea market, farmer’s market, and shopping mall. Again, it is extremely rustic by American standards. There is no walmart or target here, so this is where you go. The market occurs every 4^th day.

Along with keeping the blog, I am also trying to journal. Since I am not so overwhelmed by the town anymore, I figured I post my journal entry from the first market day excursion. That way you can get a true feel of my reaction.

Market:

So it seems like this house is very close to the center of town. As I walk around I realize that it is a much larger town than I have seen so far. The market was a short 10 minute walk or so. We took a shortcut that had us walking through what I would call the alleyways. The very main roads are poorly paved, the side streets are pressed dirt, and the alleyways or small roads are dirt and larger rocks. How cars drive on them I do not know. I’d be afraid of a flat tire and its not like you can call triple A here. The main roads have large open drainage ditches on the side about 1 ½ feet wide and 3 feet deep. Right now they are dry but during the rainy season they overflow and flood the streets. There are cement ramps across them so you can drive onto driveways. Driving off the road here could have horrible consequences since you really will end up in a ditch.

Garbage is strewn everywhere. I remember watching a Mad Men episode a year or two ago where Don Draper went on a picnic with his family and they left their garbage everywhere in the park. I didn’t really believe that people do that. People who know me know that I’m not an environmentalist by any means and I can be very lazy about recycling, but I always try and throw my trash away. I guess being here I know maybe understand that it’s a taught thing. If someone doesn’t teach you to throw your trash away then you just throw it where ever. Despite all the garbage I haven’t really been bombarded with too many smells yet.

The closer you get to the market the more crowded it becomes. Little kids are endlessly staring at me. Some turn their heads away in embarrasment, some follow me and yell at me hoping all acknowledge them, some wave at me. I try and smile, wave, or say hello back. I’m not offended by their curiosity and they are so darn cute.

Once you are in the market, it sort of reminds me of a flea market. Stalls are everywhere along every small street or alleyway. The shacks are almost like a very large lemonade stand. They sell anything you can imagine. I have yet to see a real store in this town like we have in the US, so this is where you come to do all your shopping.

Women have their infants tied to their back while they try and shop or try and sell items. Also, once they are finished they carry the loads on their heads, along with baby on their back. It’s a pretty amazing site. These women are hard working tough ladies. Life is not easy here, but so far I’m getting the feel that most people are pretty happy. Obviously, I’ve only been here 5 days so that may be an observation that changes.

Some of the streets in the market have an open sewer running through it. They are strewn with garbage. I saw people dumping their garbage in there, peeing in there, etc. Again, I was so shocked by how little it smelled.

The Muslim vendors roll out their prayer clothes in order to observed midday prayer. However, they were willing to make a transaction with us first before starting.

My only true excitement tonight was the bat flying around inside the house! It made me second guess not getting the rabies vaccine series! At least if a bat or mammal bites me I have 24 hours to seek medical attention. If a snake bites me, I’m dead in 20 minutes!

Life in Africa! My heart may race a little faster, but I’m enjoying it! J

Love, Kari