Travel and Verse

stories of travel, medical missions, and more

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Field Notes, Peru

March 5, 2020 / / 1 Comment

Part 1, Medical Nomads

Travel Journal, 54

Monday—Arrived 1715 at Santa Alicia. Long climb to village. Set up tents and ate supper. Held service. Early clinic in the morning.

A dozen or so stilted, open-air houses sat at the top of the tall, muddy hill. Their thatched roofs jutting out on all sides. After 10 hours (more?) on our boat, the village was a welcome sight. Even after climbing the monstrosity of a hill leading to the village half a dozen times, I was glad to be off the boat. I can only sit for so long. Our 80’ long stretched-limo-like canoe moved quickly that day, cutting up the Las Piedras river like the ever-present mosquito. Our team carried boxes and totes and crates full of camping gear, medical supplies, and food to last us the week. Soon, this tribe of American medical nomads set up tents. Our home for the next week would be a movable clinic along this muddy river in the south of Peru.

Little kids ran about in their bare feet and all smiles. Kind-hearted nationals helped with the totes of supplies. Local women-folk talked of a breakfast for us the next day. To say that our arrival was a big deal would be an understatement. For many, this mobile clinic is the only chance for medical care. The nearest hospital lies more than 10 hours by boat in Puerto Maldonado. And some may never go there. Poor medical care, terrifically hard labor, appalling nutrition, and rampant disease and parasites contribute to a discouraging quality of life, and a short one at that.

We slept comfortably in our tents that night.

The next morning, our team popped open plastic yard-sale tables. Then we lined up boxes of Amoxicillin, Mebendazole, anti-diarrheal, paracetamol, bag after bag of vitamins, and dozens more medications. And even though some may not currently have pain, discomfort, illness, or injury, they may still want medication. For most of these people, this is their only chance to treat any ailments they may have, now or later.

Before the clinic starts, the women of the village bring us breakfast of rice and chicken soup. A bowl of boiled plantain makes its way around the table. And, after final preparations and trips down to the boat to retrieve forgotten items, we pass the word around Santa Lisia that the clinic is open.

Some came quietly, some eagerly, some came dragging screaming children, but all came. That clinic was better attended than any midwestern yard-sale. But instead of used flatware and old Christmas ornaments, our tables were filled with medication. And our hands filled with care.

This was the first clinic of many.

anthony forrest

 

Related Tales:

Prologue to Field Notes, Peru: Return to South America

Las Piedras

March 2, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Long-winding watery way

Rain-swollen and muddy-tan

With tall, tall greens on display

On banks of bush and vines like strands

Of tinsel

In a winter-less land

And overhead, flocking hordes of colorful birds

Which, with training, speak words

On the ground, creatures and snakes

Truly a strange land, make no mistake

 

anthony forrest

Field Notes, Peru

February 27, 2020 / / 1 Comment

Prologue: Return to South America

Travel Journal, 53

My return to South America came 15 years after my last visit and more than 20 years after my first. Far too much time had passed. I’ve replayed memories of living in Bolivia over and over. But this time, a medical mission opportunity arose and instead of Bolivia, I went to Peru. Both countries differ greatly. But somehow, when I stepped off the plane in Puerto Maldonado, a feeling of familiarity smothered me more than the oppressive heat.

It’s hard to say why. I had never been to the Amazon jungle. The food in Peru is vastly different than the food in Bolivia. They use Soles, not Bolivianos. And the socioeconomic makeup is far better in Peru than Bolivia. But for whatever reason, it felt like some kind of subconscious homecoming. Minor similarities nudged my mind. Regional words and vernacular came back to me. Cultural mannerisms just felt comfortable, though new. Actually, in some ways it was better than a simple reunion. I didn’t go backward into time. I was moving forward.

If Bolivia was the childhood friend I knew long ago, Peru is Bolivia’s brother whom I got to know later in life. I have drifted away from Bolivia, someday (hopefully) to pick up where we left off. But at this moment, Peru holds the fresh memories of now. And the foundation laid in one part of South America now informs my experiences in a new part of the same continent.

anthony forrest

A Prayer for the Ordinary

February 24, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Teach me, O Lord, in your ordinary ways

Give to me your daily grace

Your slow and steady hand of guidance

Carefully adjusts my everyday progress

Nothing flashy

Nothing false

Simply ordinary and true

And the gift of your love each day, renew

 

anthony forrest

United by Food

February 20, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Travel Journal, 52

The best mushrooms I have ever eaten are found in the town of Mae Sai, Thailand. Specifically, at a Chinese restaurant that specializes in Yunnan food. Yunnan province in China lies a mere five-hour drive from this place.

Turn right out of the restaurant and go to the border—about a quarter mile.

Cross the Myanmar border, pending any security problems, and continue onto Myanmar National Highway 4 until you get to Mong Lah Rd and turn right. This will in turn take you to the province of Yunnan in southernmost China.

The food there is spicy and very good.

But, truthfully, I’ve never been to China.

So when a friend told us that a family member owned a Yunnan restaurant, we jumped at the opportunity to meet up.

We were met by people we did not know, to eat food we’d never eaten, in a place we’d never been, to experience things we’d never experienced. But the company of strangers quickly shifted to friendship. I sat next to a cousin of a friend. His English faltered and crumbled at every attempt, which is more than I can say about my Chinese. Somehow, I found out that he likes to run (as do I), orders his running shoes from Japan, and owns a tire company nearby. But as the food hit the table and the chopsticks began to fly, language skills didn’t seem to matter so much.

The giant marble table had a type of “lazy Susan” that covered most of its surface. Each person got an empty plate set before them. And all the food was shared as the lazy Susan was wheeled about. A tray of mushrooms appeared and I took several and placed them on my plate. The mushrooms were quartered and had been soaked in a brine of soy sauce and some other spices, then baked. It gave the mushrooms a dense, almost crunchy texture.

If there is one thing that me and the Chinese man communicated clearly that night it was that these mushrooms blew us away. Food crosses far more borders that any ambassador.

The reason TV food shows attract people is that food unites us. Eating ties us together. Whether black, white, Chinese, or Jewish, you have to eat. And it’s not something reserved for only a select people. Perhaps that’s why poverty and starvation give us so much sorrow.

I recently heard former astronaut Garrett Reisman say that, “the things that unite us are stronger than the things that divide us.” Not only does this saying make me feel good, but I think I actually believe it. Sure, it’s cliched and a little derivative. But the dividing aspects of humanity never last. Sure, they might lead to disputes and wars, but those end and peace eventually prevails. And though the dividing factors of life tend to get a lot of attention, the factors that unite us are far more important.

 

anthony forrest

 

Her

February 17, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Lower back length pottery-tan strands

Hair like golden laced sands

Drop all around her tiny frame

Green eyes gaze upward

She sighs

Knowing more about my soul than I

And though fully tall she meets no eye

Her gentle spirit reaches every cloudy sky

Then back down again to my heart

 

anthony forrest

Year One

February 13, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Travel Journal, 51

Travel and Verse is celebrating one full year of publication. Thank you so much for coming along. Over the past year, I’ve written stories and composed thoughts that span most of my life.

Each story I write has been important to me in one way or another. When I travel, occasionally vastly interesting things happen that I quickly put to paper. And sometimes a small situation or personal interaction—that may occur in the blink of an eye—captures my attention. These often turn into long-ponder thoughts that, in time, turn into stories.

In year one, Travel and Verse has published 51 Travel Journal entries. Together, we’ve explored 17 countries and five continents. In 2019, I traveled to seven different countries. And as 2020 begins, I am poised to see three new countries where further stories await the telling.

I also greatly appreciate the opportunity to publish my poetry.

In year one, Travel and Verse has published over 50 original pieces of poetry. Writing poetry not only helps to capture my thoughts and feelings, but it positively and therapeutically contributes to my life. Writing poetry gives me the chance to reflect a bit of my soul. And as a friend recently reminded me, I think that I benefit from the sharing. Thanks for listening.

So, here’s to the year past and the beginning of year two.

Here’s to things interesting to come.

Here’s to Travel and here’s to Verse.

May both give us joy and better our souls.

anthony forrest

 

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Snowy Trail

February 10, 2020 / / 0 Comments

My feet fall quietly on the snowy trail

Making only the slightest sound

Like the muffled ripping of opening mail

My feet step, crunching the ice-hardened ground

The dark shadowy branches of trees dip low

Winter-stripped arms reach for my cap-covered head

This tunnel of trail and trees bathed in moon-glow

On a silver winter walk

With little heard

And nothing said

 

anthony forrest 

Pros and ̶C̶̶o̶̶n̶̶s̶

February 6, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Travel Journal, 50

Peruse the internet for no more than 10 seconds and you will probably find some article touting some opinion. Throughout this highly connected world, somebody is ready to pounce, telling you their opinion on the current political climate, or social justice cause, or even the latest trend is health and dieting. In this day and age, it is much easier to find the cons rather than the pros.

But traveling tends to change opinions and broaden horizons. And those who travel are far more likely to focus on the positives rather than on the negatives.

There are so many great reasons to live in the US. There are also so many great reasons to travel or even live outside the US. But keep in mind, the pros for one may not be the cons for the other.

Below are five reasons to live in the US and five reasons to travel outside the US. These reasons aren’t as abstract as, say, “freedom.” No, they’re tangible, and personal, reasons for why I like living in the US and why I like traveling outside the US.

And now, the Pros and…Pros.

US Pro #1: Bacon.

While places like the UK and South Africa have types of bacon (google “back bacon”), no land has that crispy delightful slice of meaty goodness like the good ‘ol US of A. Nothing comes close.

International Pro #1: Street food.

Whether you are walking the narrow alleys in Bangkok or getting tapas in Barcelona, one truth ties them together—street food. Ah, the smell of the open wok. That music of the food stand attendant barking out the wild names of unknown foods. Nothing beats the world abroad for street food.

US Pro #2: The public restroom.

America truly is the land of the free…restroom. Instead of having to pay to use the toilet, just use one of the free restrooms scattered all over this vast nation. In fact, drop into a convenient store or gas station and use their restroom. You probably don’t even have to buy anything.

International Pro #2: The Bidet.

What can I say? It’s a car wash for your backside. So many countries use them. And when you walk out of the restroom cleaner than you’ve ever been, you will know why. You’ll just have to overcome the first impression of being sprayed, well, down there.

US Pro #3: Camping.

No country camps more than the US, and there’s a good reason why. The US has a plethora of National parks, State Parks, and other campgrounds. Americans camp more than any other culture. Campfires and bonfires are an integral part of American culture, and you’d be hard pressed to find its equal.

International Pro #3: Transportation.

Want to go someplace? Just take one of the many trains, buses, trolleys, trams, or subways within walking distance of your home. Heck, you could even rent a bicycle. Europe excels in this area. Flights are also cheaper. As I write, tickets for a flight from Dublin to Amsterdam from February 26th– March 3rd are literally $38 roundtrip.

US Pro #4: Carpet.

I don’t know about you, but there is something special about walking on carpet with bare feet. You won’t find a lot of carpet outside the US. I know it’s silly. But I like carpet. Thanks, America.

International Pro #4: Cell phones.

I have friends in China. Their cell phone bill is $7 a month. Of course, China is probably listening to their calls and monitoring their text messages. But seven bucks? Let ‘em listen!

US Pro #5: Gas prices.

Unless you live in California, Hawaii, or Alaska, chances are you’re paying less than $3 per gallon. Not $3 per liter. I’ll let you do the math.

International Pro #5: Coffee.

Worldwide, coffee reigns. France, Spain, UK, Thailand, they all can serve you a delightful cup of carefully crafted coffee. I’ve never seen so much concentration or effort than the time I watched a barista in Tokyo pour a cappuccino. And in most countries, coffee is to be enjoyed at a table; no to-go order. The art of careful concentration on quality coffee still exists.

Though I love the US, I also love travel. And there are pros to each.

anthony forrest

Moonrise

February 3, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Circling all in endless mystery

In fluid silence, form, and beauty

The Watcher of the Night rises high

Claiming her place in the evening sky

Throne of night will find its heir

The night will come

Oh day beware!

For the Queen of another life has come to rule

A dignified Monarch

An ancient jewel

 

anthony forrest

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