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Hundreds patiently wait
for free medical aid.
We
reached the large, community center and it has
two-foot-thick, white, stone walls. Though it isn’t
heated, the wall mass retains heat and tempers temperatures
significantly warmer inside during the night. However, the
temperatures lower through the night and is only slightly
warmer in the morning. Unfortunately, this mass characteristic also keeps the
inside cold all day long
Regardless
of the lack of comfort everyone starts his or her
predetermined tasks. Everyone keeps moving in order
to stay warm.. While the Rotarian team prepared for the
onslaught of hundreds seeking medical care, I 'm busy
documenting their process with digital video. Since
shooting a camera is not physically active enought to generate body heat because it requires standing a
lot, and consequently I'm more susceptible to being cold. Luckily, I
listened to Jack and brought my down parka.
Walking
through town was a constant reminder of the area's third
world status. An old dilapidated flatbed-truck was on the
street and jacked up for repair with automobile
battery. Block after block inside the town displayed a
series of homes and buildings with completely
different architectural styles, sizes and a variety of
rough exteriors. Structures were crudely made of adobe or
masonry. Pickups with broken mufflers sped noisily through the streets
ignoring stop signs, but their brakes squeaked just before
speed bumps and other highway obstacles. A young girl,
looking about six-years old, apparently had her chore to
sweep the front of their family's concrete street to
reduce dust. Wild horses ran through the streets without
fanfare. I’ve even saw a horse running down the
road while being led by someone holding the reigns from
the back seat of a car. Before our return to Denver, we
even had to wait for a herd of horses to get off the
town's rocky runway before taking off.
Many
walk an entire day to go to the Rotary's clinic.
I
saw a large crowd lined up outside as I approached our
medical center. Inside, there were sounds and sights of
proud men, children and colorful women mingling. They
offered images that most journalists would die for.
Barefoot Indians sitting at the test instruments and
rugged hombres with their families presented an unusual
opportunity to depict both native Indian and Mexican
cultures.
There
was no pushing, crowding or complaining. What stood out
was their patience and respect for one another. The masses had come and I empathethetic over the slow moving lines. I had concerns about there being too many patients. Several of the town's local Rotarians had come to
help with the eye charts and other exams, but there was
only one optometrist. I asked Dr Hock if there might be a
way to speed up the process. Dr. Hock looked at me and set
me straight: "This is the only eye exam that most of
these people have ever had and might be the only one they
will ever get!" That’s when I understood why Dr
Hock was here.
I
continued to documented the event. The Rotary team
examined a hundred seventy people that day. It was close
to 7:30 PM before dragging myself back to the hotel and it was past 8:00
PM after showering.
Wild horses ran down the
street in front of our clinic.
Every
minute had been planned. That night we were to attend a
celebration in our honor. Dinner was supposed to be at
6:oclock. We were still at the clinic at 7 PM and still
needed more time to clean up. I thought the evening’s
plans would have been cancelled due to the late hour.
Alfredo was a local dentist and at that time an
instrumental part of the Guachochi Rotarian Club. He spoke
excellent English and did most of our translations.
Alfredo addressed my concerns in a manner an American
politician would have been proud: "In Mexico time is
flexible. A dinner planned for 6:00 PM could just as well
start at 9:00 PM; that’s Mexican time."
A constant
series of parties and celebrations went on while we were
there. These
get-togethers were the Mexican's way of showing their gratitude. While in Guachochi, we attended several
parties and barbecues in different homes and places.
What
interested me was how a home's outside contrasted with on
what was inside. Outside was drab and junky. Upon entering a rough exterior building
front, we were immediately surrounded by a warm inviting
home. The entire atmosphere changed. We got to see
their lives and taste their food and drink. The locals
brought homemade dishes, and there were toasts between the
Arvada and Guachochi Rotary Clubs. Awards were presented
to members of the Rotary team. Sharon or Alfredo
interpreted the speeches and toasts.
Friendships between
the two groups had continued to grow over the years. In
spite of the lack of direct communication, there was
still a bonding. The good deeds and efforts of those there
spoke louder than words. Later the party mood
got sentimental with boasts of friendship into the evening as everyone
joined in singing songs around the bonfire. Toasts and laughter
lasted into the night.
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