Philippines 2016: Day 2

Monday, January 17, 2016

After the long plane ride, crossing the international dateline/losing a day, and finally getting to our destination, today was a day for the team to recover from jet lag and get ourselves oriented and ready for clinic on Tuesday. All in all, the team is in good shape, tired but adjusting. Many were up at odd hours as we try to get used to the new time. That first swim in the Pacific Ocean was wonderful.

We are staying at a hotel called the Raymen – which is able to accommodate us all and provide the team with meals and lunches on clinic days. It is on the beach, so we really get to feel the “Philippines lifestyle” which is centered on the ocean. At 11a.m., we loaded into trucks, a van and headed to town to see the market and exchange our money. 1 USD = 47.5 Philippino Pesos. The market is a busy place with motorcycles, trucks, bikes. From there we were invited to Anabelle’s family’s home where they had prepared a traditional meal for us. We had BBQ pork, rice, shrimp, fish and crab. They also had mangos that taste like no mango you have ever had. The island is famous for their mangos and ship them to Queen Elizabeth. The Mayor and Governor came to greet us, and we had a few lovely hours on the porch with the warm breeze. ​

Around 3p.m., we headed back to the hotel where we opened up every hockey bag and got ready for the clinics starting tomorrow. It was a beehive of activity as we sorted out what to bring, who would be stationed where. We have a great mix of nurses experienced at these clinics and those who are not – and our support team are great to step up and try anything.

​After a swim and supper, we all headed to bed to get ready for the first clinic day tomorrow.