Girl band in Buenos Aires, Argentina

at Ministro Carranza Subte Station last spring. Love the music, and the man who walks through mid song.

Haitian Patient in Sonador, Dominican Republic

My story comes from the two weeks I spent in the Dominican Republic serving as a volunteer interpreter for a medical mission. 

Only a nose crinkle could describe our relationship. In the DR, this action is as common as a head nod in the U.S., resembling the reflex you do with your nose when it itches and you're unable to scratch it. While conversing, if a Dominican furrows his nose then he has ningun idea of what you are saying. 

A nose crinkle = What!?

The patient spoke Creole. I spoke Spanish with an American and Argentine accent... To say the least, we relied mostly on gestures and repetitions. As he complained of kidney pain, which translates to back pain, I would relay the message to the nurse who offered him core exercises, proper lifting techniques, or calmantes (pain killers). To all of these suggestions, he responded “Uds saben mejor que yo” (You know better than I do). When we'd ask him basic questions regarding his diet, digestion, and sleeping habits, he'd react, “Uds saben la situación de nosotros en este país” (You know our situation in this country). 'Our situation' referred to Haitians in the DR, a population that suffers immensely from discrimination and poverty. Why doesn't he return to Haiti and his family? Since the earthquake and therefore, the devastating cholera outbreak, he had not spoken with them. According to him, leaving the DR for Haiti wouldn't improve his quality of life.

Polite, soft spoken, and incredibly patient, he agreed to mimic our attempts at teaching him core exercises. Too many nose crinkles later, I resorted to showing him with my own belly how to "make ourselves skinny"...to this, his friends outside shared a giggle and my new friend flashed his beautiful smile. We gave him vitamins, pain killers, toothbrush and toothpaste and told him to treat his back the same way he does his perfect teeth. A favorite smile in one of my favorite places.

Laughter seemed to have breached the barrier and un-crinkled his nose, illustrating the power of offering an open ear, or in this case, a belly.

Don't let the looks fool you, these new friends couldn't be more camera confident

 Toothbrush and paste in hand

Morning walk to a clinic location

 Plants grow with incredible ease in this friendly climate.

 Love birds

 His name was Pinky

 Una charla on Cholera and clean water practices

Brothers

 Making coffee. Long process, but amazing flavor.

 Peace Corps pals. Great guys with some fascinating projects.