Sittin' in a cafe

I'm sitting in a cafe, reflecting on my time here thus far, and am struck by how blessed I am to be here--to be experiencing another culture, to be growing in knowledge both of nursing and of Spanish, and to be strengthening bonds with my fellow nursing students, as well as my host family. A lot has been crammed into the last two weeks, and I only hope that my brain is processing quickly enough to remember all of the experiences I've had here in Querétaro. Like today for example....

Today we enjoyed a relaxed morning--a good workout, breakfast, and plenty of laughter. We then headed out in our Sunday best to mass, where sweet Pili sang in the choir and our host parents actively took part in the service. I think it's so fun to see how people worship in different countries, and today was no exception. From mass, we drove to a "pueblito" (small town) called San Vicente. Here they sell things like purses, belts, and shoes made from the skins of cows in the area. We had a great time shopping around with the family and successfully purchased a couple of things :) After San Vicente, we stopped at our host family's grandma's house for a delicious lunch. It was fun to meet more of the family and to enjoy more authentic Mexican cuisine. Sarah and I got dropped off after lunch at the cafe in which I know sit, enjoying more of life in Mexico :)

Hasta mañana!

Medíca Tec 100 and San Miguel de Allende

Another day at Tec 100 

The last two days in Querétaro have been great! On Friday, we spent our second day at the private hospital Medíca Tec that I spoke about in my last post. In order to allow us to see different aspects of the hospital, we rotated to different units than we had been in on Thursday. I was in hemodynamics (which is basically a cath lab) as well as the emergency room. Although there weren't any patients having procedures done in the cath lab, the x-ray tech was kind enough to take the time to explain things to me. He showed me all of the equipment, how it was operated, and explained all of the steps of particular procedures. After his explanations, I was even able to view video footage from previous procedures. Since there was nothing to do in hemodynamics after his explanations, I floated on over to the emergency room to observe, as well as help the nurses if need be. Unfortunately, there weren't many patients in the ER and not much left for the nurses to do, so I was not able to perform any skills other than put some compression socks on a patient and administer some meds via IV. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to practice much; however, it was a bit of a blessing in disguise because I was able to talk extensively with the nurses about things specific to my project (more on that in another post). 

All in all, I enjoyed my experience both days at Medíca Tec 100. Because our class is focused on comparing health care in the US with health care in Mexico, it was very important for us to see a broad spectrum of hospitals in the area. Our visit to Medíca Tec 100 allowed us to see an example of a private hospital in Mexico, such that we can now compare it to the public hospitals here too. 

San Miguel de Allende 

We just returned from a fantastic visit to another Mexican city, San Miguel de Allende, another place full of rich history, beautiful architecture, and fascinating culture. As we walked up to our first stop in the city, my heart about skipped a beat from pure joy...we found a STARBUCKS, a satisfying taste of home! Any trip that starts with Starbucks is a good one in my book! After coffee, we walked through the city a bit until we found the place for trolley tours of the city. Since not everyone in our group understands Spanish well, we tried to find a tour in English and were successful! The guide gave a bilingual tour throughout the city, pointing out things like the homes of Spanish nobility and famous singers, old churches and monasteries, and a beautiful park that had been recently restored. I think the whole group really enjoyed the tour and learning about another piece of Mexico's rich history. After the tour, we grabbed some lunch at a delicious restaurant called Borgenvillia and then did a bit of shopping before heading home to be with our families. 

Day 9: Medica Tech 100

It's a beautiful thing to experience life in a different country. Learning new things every day, being immersed in a new culture, and forming relationships with new people. Although I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit homesick, I am really enjoying my time here. 

Yesterday was a much needed free day. I was able to get a workout in, as well as spend a bit of time with my host sisters, Pili and Carol. I embarked to the city solo on the bus in the late morning and met up with some of my fellow group members at the cutest cafe. We spent most of the day there working on homework, but I was happy as a clam with my café americano continuo (essentially an entire pot of coffee all to myself) and am thankful to have gotten a bit ahead on my work. When we had done homework until we couldn't do it anymore, we walked around the city for a bit of shopping. Upon our return home, we received a happy surprise...tamales for dinner! It was a wonderful way to end the day!

Today, Sarah and I woke up early to burn off some of our tamales with a workout, after which we headed to UAQ to meet the group. We walked from UAQ to the principal private hospital in Querétaro called Medica Tech 100 (or "Tec Cien" en español). After receiving a tour, we divided up and went to different units. Katie and I were assigned to Cirugía (surgery). The nurses and doctors on the floor were so accommodating, willing to explain anything and everything  to us. We saw all 5 of the surgical suites, as well as the recovery area and sterilization rooms. The facilities were beautiful! As luck would have it, there was a surgery going on while we were on the unit. Katie and I scrubbed up in our booties, scrub hats, and masks to observe a surgery. It was really interesting for me to be able to compare the sterile technique we had learned in skills class in actual medical practice! Overall, the experience in Tec 100 was a good one! We are headed back there tomorrow, where I will be rotating between the ER and hematology for most of the morning. 

Days 6 & 7: Las Clínicas

This week began our first experiences working in Mexican health care facilities! Coming into the trip, I was under the impression that we would potentially have the opportunity to practice some nursing skills--insert an IV here and there, take a lot of vital signs. I was definitely wrong! We have been thrown in with full force to practicing nursing skills as though we were in an actual clinical, not a shadowing experience. As someone who likes to plan and prepare, I was at first a little uneasy about doing skills like IVs without having a chance to glance at my book or review my notes; however, I have learned the past two days that hands-on learning is very helpful and in many ways better than the alternative.

On both days, we arrived at the clinic in Santa Barbara first, around 9 am by the time the van made its way through the traffic. The first day we received a tour of the facilities and then were divided up and sent to different departments. Santa Barbara is basically a mini-hospital, complete with two rooms for surgery. I hung out with the nurse in surgery César on the first day in Santa Barbara. Although there was only one patient in recovery from cosmetic eye surgery, I was able to learn a lot about the equipment and procedures in the surgery center. As an added bonus, César let me practice inserting IVs on him! Now that's what I call hands on experience! Unfortunately, I was not able to observe any surgeries, and did not witness much else on the first day at Santa Barbara. On the second day at this clinic, I worked in the ER and inserted my first IV into an actual patient! The high from inserting an IV on the first try is like none other. This was definitely the highlight of my undergraduate career so far! As the morning passed in the ER, we received a few more patients and were able to further practice our nursing skills. We did everything from helping a doctor clean a very deep abscess and administering medication to taking vitals and starting/removing more IVs. 

We then went to the clinic in Santa Rosa. This was located in a more rural area and was much, much smaller than the other clinic. We received a tour of the facility upon arriving and learned a lot of valuable information about the clinic's services. Many of the patients who come are there for specialty consultations or dentistry, although one of the nurses explained that they do see a fair amount of emergencies related to gang violence that is common in the area. Not many patients showed up to Santa Rosa while we were there in the afternoon, so we decided to be productive with our time. Since not everyone had been able to insert an IV on an actual person, we decided to be patients ourselves and insert IVs into one another. Because I have really good veins and don't mind needle pokes, I was a patient for a few members of our group. They all did awesome! I guess when in Mexico...insert IVs into your friends! Our second day in Santa Rosa was a bit uneventful. I observed a few dental procedures and was also able to watch a doctor clean out a man's road rash from a motorcycle accident. 

Here's looking forward to more clinical work! 

Day 6: A Day in Colón

We just arrived back to our house after spending the day in a city called Colón, where there was an annual walk and mass to honor the virgin Mary. Our family is catholic, as are 80% of Mexicans in Querétaro, and I would estimate that about 1,000 people attended today.


Now, when I say walk, you might be thinking that it was maybe a mile or two, but not so much. The walk from where the bus driver dropped us off to the Basilica de Colón was 6 miles. We walked and walked with praise songs and shouts ringing in the air until we arrived at the Basilica. Upon arriving, we grabbed some lunch in a market. Two words people: Mexican gorditas. These were nothing like the cheesy gordita crunches you might see at Taco Bell and are currently running a close second with tamales as my favorite traditional Mexican food.

Mass came after our gorditas, and there was plenty of time for the food to settle because mass lasted about 2 and 1/2 hours. Today's big lesson? Patience. If you know me well, you might remember that being patient is not one of my strong suits. Life in Mexico is definitely challenging that character flaw. Time here is used a lot more loosely than we use it in the US. I feel like in the US we are always on the move, and don't take much time to just sit and be. Although I think its great that the pace of life in Mexico is slower, it is still taking some adjusting. Today's 11 hour "viaje" to Colón definitely forced me to practice patience, and for that, I am grateful because it is a lesson I desperately need to learn.

I also need to give a big shout out to my amazing momma! She is actually in Mexico right now, but is too far away to stop by for a visit. I just want to say, Mom, that I am so blessed to have been raised by such a godly woman. Your love and compassion for others is so evident in every conversation you have. You have taught me so much through the years and have been there as a confidant during every life change. Thank you for your unwavering support in anything I have chosen to pursue. I hope you feel so loved today, even though our family is not all in the same place!

Outside of La Basilica de Colón 

 Gordita in all its glory! 

 Inside La Basilica 

  Inside La Basilica 

 Inside La Basilica 

Day 5: A Big, Big God

Today I learned that God is BIG.

I learned that I am small, and to be loved by a God who created such astonishing beauty is an immense gift of grace. In La Peña de Bernal, Mexico, God gently prodded at my heart, reminding me of this undeserved gift of love.

This morning, we hopped on a bus from UAQ and made about an 1 hour trek to a city outside of Querétaro called Bernal, where the world's third largest rock is located. We slathered ourselves in sunscreen, put on our touristy tennies, and began our climb up the rock. First of all, let me just say that I love, love, love to hike, so today for me was awesome! In fact, I wish we could have climbed higher and farther!! Upon arriving at the highest point we were allowed, we stopped to take "un montón de fotos" and admire God's beautiful creation. The pictures below do not do the sights we saw any justice. The view from the top of la Peña de Bernal was amazing!

After our "rock climbing adventure," we had lunch together at a restaurant in town and then spent about an hour or so shopping. When we were done in Bernal, we drove about 20 minutes away to a Mexican vineyard and received a tour, as well as a bit of wine tasting. 

Our marathon of fun continued this evening with a trip downtown to a local festival of music and dance. Essentially, it was a performance of dancers and musicians from Mexico, Venezuela, Honduras, and Argentina. Man, could these people move! I think I enjoy watching things like dance performances because I have not an ounce of rhythm, nor the skills to dance something as simple as the macarena. All in all today was a great day, filled with laughs and adventure. 

 After the festival 

Hanging out with Pili, our host sister :) 

Bloggin' from Querétaro, Mexico

I've decided to resurrect the good 'ole blog in honor of a new adventure...spending the rest of the month in Mexico!! I am currently living it up in Querétaro, Mexico, with a group of nursing students (and one physical therapy student) from Hope. Our purpose in being here is two-fold: to learn about Mexican culture through living with host families in the greater Querétaro area and to compare the health care system in Mexico to our own system in the US through visiting various area hospitals (we'll even get a bit of clinical nursing practice). 

We arrived here on Tuesday afternoon, and regrettably, I have not blogged about our first three days here, so I'll give you a quick rundown of the past couple of days. 

Day 1: Arrival in QRO/Meeting the families
After arriving in Mexico, we made our way to UAQ (the university here), but not before stopping for our first taste of authentic Mexican cuisine--elotes, which are essentially grilled corn on the cob. We had them with mayonnaise and parmesan cheese. It was an "interesting" flavor, but we definitely enjoyed our first cultural experience! 

El grupo con elotes :) 

After stopping for our "snack," we made it to the university and met Nancy, our "tour guide" for the duration of the stay, as well as all of the host families. Our family is incredible! They are hospitable to the utmost degree, hardly letting us lift a finger to move our luggage or clean our dishes. They have two daughters, 11 and 4, which I feel is going to really enrich our experience here. There is something much less intimidating about talking to a child in Spanish than an adult. What is more, the girls are so sweet, helpful, and very fun to be around. After we made it back to the family's home, we had a delicious lunch and then played with the girls for awhile. Hugo (the dad) and the two girls took us on a walking tour of some of the part of their neighborhood including a look at the famous aqueducts and a scenic park. 

I am definitely feeling fully immersed in the culture. First of all, no one in the family speaks English apart from the words: dog, cat, and hot dog. Although I have been studying Spanish for a long while now, it has definitely been an adjustment in communicating with the family. I feel that as the day went on, I became more comfortable in my ability to communicate with them, and truly feel that this trip will be an invaluable experience in developing my skills as both a Spanish speaker and a nursing student.

Day 2: Tour of Hospital General de QRO 
On Wednesday, we were given a tour of the El Hospital General, which is one of the hospitals we will be working in next week. After our tour, we went home to our suburb of Querétaro, Hercúles, to spend the rest of the day relaxing and spending time with our family. The evening included a visit to Pili, the 11 year old's, choir practice at church. 

Here we are in all of our white-scrubbed glory! 

 Day 3: Tour of UAQ
Our third day here was spent taking a tour of the university. We had a lovely tour guide Nancy, who is in her final year of nursing school here. After the tour, we had lunch in downtown Querétaro with the group. Thursday's major victory? Catching the public transportation bus and making it home all by ourselves! We're feeling more and more like locals every day! 

Group pic outside of the nursing school 

Day 4: Tour of downtown historic Querétaro 

Last but not least, today, el día de los madres (Mother's Day) in Mexico! We spent today taking 3 hour walking tour of the city's historic district. I won't bore you with all of the details, but suffice it to say that we had a wonderful time learning about various aspects of Mexican culture and history. Our fabulous tour guide Norma made the tour very enjoyable! After the tour, we had a delicious lunch and then headed back to spend the rest of the day at home...unfortunately to catch up on our homework from the past couple of days. I guess it can't be all play and no work ;) 

Here are some pics from today: 

 Outside of one of the many churches downtown 

 Inside what used to be a Jesuit monastery 

 Norma the tour guide 

 View of the city from the highest point in the downtown 

Hope you enjoy a look at our adventures in Mexico! Stay tuned!