Swimming in African matrimony...

Setting up for wedding...

It's been a pretty uneventful weekend-which I really was about due for.  I was able to get some much needed rest after that crazy week I just had.  On Saturday I was invited to go out to Careysburg to visit another farm that actually had a swimming pool.  It was a beautiful day for a nice drive out there and a swim, but I couldn't stay awake to take in the view on the way;  I was dead tired.  When we finally arrived at the facility they were actually preparing for a wedding later in the afternoon!  It was a beautiful setting for a wedding though-was in the hills with a lot of open land and nature (I'd imagine so-we were on a farm!).  Some of the kids we were with ended up going for a swim while the people were setting up for the event-it was a bit awkward as the guests were filing in.  The few of us were dressed in summer swimwear while everyone else was coming in wearing really nice African wedding attire!  They probably thought we were so inappropriate!

Swimming pool.  Packed with people while kids were swimming!

We ended up staying for the procession of the wedding party which was really nice.  There were so many people!  It was cool to see.  Afterwards I ended up sleeping again the entire way home and went to bed at like 8:30pm.  I think the month caught up with me last night.  I got some much needed rest.

Sunday was another restful day for me.  I rounded early this morning and changed the dressing on my amputee patient.  She did very well when she saw it.  So far she's doing great with everything.  Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  I was supposed to go play football today with the guys, but I spended all morning waiting for the driver to take me there and he ultimately was unable to pick me up.  Bummer...
I was able to take another nap and get some reading done which wasn't so bad.  One of the really cool volunteers left today-Ellie.  She's a retired pediatrician from Seattle who has been here before and just spent another month.  She has such a great personality and is very knowledgeable about the healthcare needs here in Liberia.  We've shared many interesting and stimulating conversations.  I think she and I shared a similar vibe during our time together-she will be missed.  She's definitely a new friend who I will keep in touch with.

We picked up one new volunteer today-a pediatrician from the states.  We all went out to dinner this evening and had a nice conversation.  I hope we didn't scare her with all of our stories.  It can be a bit overwhelming when you first arrive.  At least she's not going to have to deal with the surgical issues on my end!  I think she'll be okay with the kiddies...

I think I'll make it another early evening tonight.  Tomorrow is a national holiday-voter's registration.  A big day here being that elections are coming up soon.  Gotta vote for Mama Liberia.  No surgery tomorrow.  I'm supposed to go golfing-should be fun!  Thing is...I suck at it!

Good night everyone. SHOUT OUT TO MY BRO-IN-LAW THAD!! HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY WEEKEND! LOVE YOU!

"Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met on the street."
-Elbert Hubbard

Peaceful view from pool deck.