Friday February 22, 2019
Hola everyone!
It's been four years since my last CAMTA mission to Quito, Ecuador. The anticipation for this trip has been palpable! It's been hard to sit still and focus on pretty much anything this past week. I guess I hadn't realized how much I missed being part of CAMTA medical missions.
I woke up at 3:00 am Friday morning, super excited for the trip and semi-anxious about whether I was 100% prepared to go. Did I pack everything I need? Are there enough frozen meals for Syd and the boys? Do they have enough clean laundry to last them the 10 days I will be gone? (Probably not). I tried to shift out of the mommy worry mode as I headed to the airport. They will survive.
Check-in/security/US customs Edmonton International Airport for week two team members was a breeze. The amount of baggage we haul to Quito is phenomenal. Split between two teams, we carry hockey bags filled with medical equipment and supplies enough to efficiently perform nearly 80 orthopaedic surgeries in two weeks. I spent my transit in Houston getting acquainted with my fellow team members and walking the halls of the airport (must meet the daily step count goal).
Checking in at Edmonton International Airport.
Debbie and I will be working side by side as Lay People
(fancy word for medical equipment cleaners).
With Raj (Physiotherapist), Barb (O.R. Nurse) and Vera (Physiotherapist) - L to R
We landed at 1:20 am in Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, the busiest airport in Ecuador (and one of the busiest airports in South America). After a 45 minute bus ride to the NH Collections Hotel, we finally arrive to a warm welcome from the hotel staff and a few week one CAMTA team members at around 3:00 am. 24 whirlwind hours from Edmonton to Quito. It's wonderful to be back.
By going on this mission trip, not only do I hope to play a part (however small) in changing someone's life, but I also hope to teach my sons that we can and we must do our bit to make this world a better place. If they get that, I've done my bit. CAMTA has given me the opportunity to be a part of their meaningful work for the third time now. I know it would not be without the support of family, friends and work colleagues who supported me by making a donation or purchasing a scarf so I could meet my fundraising goal. Some offered kind words of encouragement on the MacEwan corridors or called/texted to wish me a great experience. Let me pause here to say that I deeply appreciate your support. I do this on behalf of you all.
Where the clouds meet the rolling hills.
Quito, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m.
It is the second highest official capital city in the world. (Altitude sickness is real my friends.)
I have made it a habit in past missions to write short blogs to share my experience in Quito as I interact with patients, the CAMTA team and local Ecuadorians. I hope to share this journey with you again this year so stay tuned :).
Gracias amigos!
Sandra
Fun fact: Ecuador is the only country in the world named after a geographical feature. The official name of Ecuador is República del Ecuador which literally means “The Republic of the Equator”. The equator runs through the country.
Hey my friend - I am so happy you're doing this. It is something I hope to be able to do oke day too. In the meantime, I will enjoy this experience vicariously through you. Thank you for including me on your list of people with whom you'll share your experience. I eagerly await your daily updates.
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