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| Our group on the first day of clinical |
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| The Tongan nursing students practicing their song for the commissioning |
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| Melanie, Carlie and one of the nurses and nursing students |
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| Mike listening to breath sounds and Hanna taking a blood pressure |
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| The ferry we took |
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| Becca taking a blood sugar |
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| Carlee hanging out with the kids |
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| Vanessa taking a blood pressure |
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| Melanie at the Cliffs of Insanity |
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| The Maui arch |
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| Brittany taking a blood pressure |
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| Jared taking a blood sugar; Brittany, Melanie & Carissa are also in the picture |
We arrived in Tonga last Monday. We went to the nursing school and hospital on Monday afternoon, and then went to Viaola hospital on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Friday the School of Nursing and new Emergency Room and clinics were put into service, and they had a "commissioning ceremony". It was a big deal--the nursing students had singing practice all week just to get ready for it. However, we already had our trip to Eua planned, including pre-paid nights at the Hideaway there, so we needed to get to Eua (we didn't know about the commissioning ceremony when we planned things). The plane broke down, so we took the other option--the ferry.
The sea was rough. We were in the larger ferry, and it would have been worse in the smaller one, but the large one was bad enough. Even with anti-nausea medication ahead of time, I "tossed my cookies". I was very happy to see land, and they were happy to see us as well--our ferry carried a bus that they had been working hard to get to Eua, for the people here to use. They had dancers and a lot of people at the dock celebrating.
Eua is beautiful. It is home to the only national park in Tonga. Yesterday we did a health fair in the market, and then went on a tour of the rock garden, Maui arch, and to see the 800 year old Banyan tree. Today was church--in Tongan. The people were warm and friendly--evidently they don't have many Palangis (white people) come to church there.
The plane is supposed to be fixed, and tomorrow we will be headed home--unless it really isn't fixed--then maybe it will be another boat ride.
3 comments:
Where are the pictures of YOU, Mom? I am glad to see things are going well. I love you.
You can tell you brought the nice camera - great color and light in all your shots. On top of that you're taking great pictures. Get some more of Tongan life, and YOU, just like Ruth said.
I didn't know you got sick ever! I thought you had a stomach of steel! Anyway it looks like a lot of fun.
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