I don't know!

Tomorrow I leave for chiapas. I’m sure there is something I’m forgetting already. So far, however, the thought of forgetting a bathing suit pales in comparison to my fear of not being able to understand the Chiapan people. And I’m late already with regard to chloroquine anti-malarial prophylaxis. I was supposed to start taking them 2 weeks ago but did not want potential side effects to ruin my vacation with Ines or my concentration during my medical licensing exam so I need to be particularly careful not to bite any mosquitoes for a couple of weeks. I must admit shopping has been fun though. Recent purchases include the Katadyn filter, mosquito netting, some cool outdoors clothing, and a leatherman 329 in 1 tool.
Despite having gear for all potential circumstances of survival and looking like an REI advertisement, I have to admit, I have no idea what I’ll be doing on Saturday or Sunday or any other day. I’ve gotten as far as knowing that a man with a big mustache will be meeting me at the airport with a sign saying “Ryan David, Amatan clinic.” People keep asking me what I will be doing or what I will be responsible for – will there be surgeries to do? babies to deliver? hundreds of patients or just a paltry few? All good questions, but I Don’t Know! And the more people ask, the more nervous I get. It's gotten so bad that I am no longer able to talk about it over meals. I don’t even know where I’ll be staying. No one has ever been at this clinic for as long as I’ll be there. The last student who was there left for Mexico City under the threat of a Zapatista rebellion and the rest of the summer students found other placement. The last medical student down there stayed for only a few weeks and slept on the exam room table after the patients left. I can tell you I don’t plan on doing that. At least not for long!
I have learned there is an unpredictable occasional sometime internet service in Amatan – that is, by the way, unreliable. My next posting will be from my new home town. I will try to post at least once every week from now on.