Bogota is the capital of Colombia and I was entering South America for the first time, a slight bit anxious and ready for adventure. Many people had told me before I left to watch out for bandits and drugs. For me, I have always felt that life begins at the edge of my comfort zone. I was amazed by the beauty of the country-simply stunned! The green, the sheer biomass is intense and the flowers are beautiful. I have been around the world and have few times been anywhere as beautiful.
Then came the people- lines and lines of people responding to radio advertising of medical and dental care by US doctors and dentists. They were gracious and pleasant. I feel that dentistry is much more fun when dollars don't complicate matters. Serving the people of Pasca and Arbellaez was a pure joy. We saw some sad things and most of the teeth that were removed were just roots or broken fragments of crowns. Nobody kept a perfect count but several hundred teeth were removed and the people were treated with love and respect. Lovingkindness crosses language barriers. Smiles and compliments to their beautiful country were shared with every person. There is no better way to vacation than serving people-they are the prize!
We had excellent interpreters and they made our job easier and thanks to them we had fresh baked goods every morning. Diego Aguirre and Nicholas made nine days of fast paced dental treatment go smoothly. My assistant SSG Mike Ball could not have been better at his job. Cool, mature and he had all the women swooning at his Clooney-esque, dreamy blue eyes.
At the end of the mission I was very tired and very satisfied. The people, the villages, the food and the beautiful children were stuck indelibly in my mind. I left nothing back and worked as hard and smart as I could. The mission was a huge success and thanks to great leadership of Captain Wheatley and 1SG Dyer and a number of others. We got to Bogota and got to our hotel- oh a hot shower! Meals and a tour of Monserrat and off to the airport for home.
My impressions: beautiful land, people who have known pain and civil war and a country I would love to visit again. No word of drugs, cartels or other stereotypical ideas about Colombia. I took a ton of photos and many people as they said goodbye stated "don't forget us." I definitely will not forget the people or the land. From a dental standpoint it seems as if for some there, teeth represent 32 opportunities for pain, tooth removal and humiliation. Most humans want to look good and attractive. Having large gaps or no teeth is a part of rural Colombian life. It makes me think twice when I see the spoiled 12 year old that wants bleached teeth or braces.
Life is simple in Pasca-a village with a rough road to get in and a beautiful church in the square. It is exciting to travel and see how much people love God and make beautiful places to worship in humble circumstances. I saw the sun shining on the angel on the cathedral and got a beautiful picture of it. It will hang in my home as long as I live. I am no angel, but I met several in a stunning country called Colombia. The people again were beautiful, humble and gracious-the true prize. I was the person who was most rewarded!
