David and Graham´s Batey Adventures

We will not be repetitive because we want to surpass the previous dual blog entry. Yesterday was an first day in a world very different from the East Side. Kirk said it perfectly as we roamed into the dense sugar cane to empty our bladders. He said something like, "Graham, this is surreal". I (Graham) looked up to see miles of emptiness. My job as trafficer in the clinic was completely negated and I was defaulted to being a sort of amusement for all waiting patrons. I became lost in my primitive three years of Spanish yet I gained confidence as I played baseball with children who may never go as far as Santo Domingo. We do not have much time and I want to let David write his entry. Today we saw the face of poverty. Even my decent Spanish could not break the vast barriers between the Creole speakers and me. I worked in the pharmacy and attempted to use my nonverbal communication. I had trouble finding the optimism today as once again I scrambled toward the cane as the ground was lined by a layer of can and plastic, but I wil continue to remind myself that although we can not cure the tumor on the old woman´s neck or the oral infection of the little infant, but we can make these Dominicans feel that someone cares.

As I (David) started yesterday on the eyeglass station, I did not understand what I was getting myself into. I was given a card similar to those found in pediatric Doctor´s offices for recognizing the strength of visi0n. Although I have no experience in the Spanish language, my study of French has helped in my attempt to communicate with the Creole people. For the most part, the Creoles speak in a dialect that is rooted in French, which allows me to communicate basic vocabulary, and being able to give the gift of sight.