While I went to freezing cold Utah for spring (winter) break, Mitch went South to Belize for the annual AYUDA trip. This year they spent twelve days in Belize and Guatemala, providing care to locals. (Click here to see last year's trip.) I envy Mitch and the opportunities he's had to serve underprivileged people and under-developed communities through dentistry. I look forward to the days I will get to tag along and provide care as well. I'm not going to let you think he only served, he got a lot of playing in as well. Think shark dives, spear fishing, night snorkeling, Tikal ruins, bike rides, and much more.
The clinics are set up in vacant buildings and they use old military cots, plastic tables, and folding chairs as their operatory. They get to see many more patients and do a lot more procedures in a shorter amount of time than at school - where one appointment may take 4 or more hours. So, not only are they providing a service, but they are getting a ton of experience in a short amount of time.
Dr. Done and a few of the guys - Mark, Josh, Bridger and Luke. Dr. Done was one of the founding members of AYUDA and organizes all the service trips.
Swimming with sharks...lucky dog. If you didn't know, Belize is known for the amazing snorkeling and scuba diving. I'd say Mitch took full advantage of it and saw a ton.
I don't think I'd do well with the Belize food. American chains aren't aloud into Belize, so its local food only. Mitch took a few pictures of the food and let's put it this way, I would have lost some weight. ;)
The spear fishing expedition. I think Mitch said he swam for six hours straight with no luck. His swim suit wouldn't stay put, so he was burned from his behind to his neck. Out of their whole group they only caught 3 fish, but it was still fun and he said he'd do it again. Kyle was the winner of the group catching 2 of the 3 (although the second one looks more like bait). Way to go Kyle!
The whole group!
The 4th years! Now that the old seniors are graduating, Mitch is officially a 4th year dental student. Man, the time flies.
After the clinics, the group boarded two huge busses and traveled to Guatemala to tour the Tikal ruins. They woke up at 4 in the morning to hear the "awakening of the jungle" and were able to climb all the pyramids. Some were insanely steep and unsteady. Mitch said it was amazing, and huge, and only 30% of the ruins have even been discovered. I asked him if he thought it was a Book of Mormon city, and he said most definitely. I mean, doesn't the picture below just scream Samuel the Lamanite?
Mitch had an amazing trip.
And this is just for fun. They found a tarantula in their hotel room (along with a scorpion behind their headboard and a baby viper out front- no joke) and this is the video of them killing it. Listen for Mitch's laugh...it makes me smile every time.
