Made it to Pignoon and been very busy.

So the next day (Sunday) we left Port au Prince to pignon aboard the 182.

Thankfully they filled the plane up before take off!

The co-pilot was busy taking pictures. Luckily we had a great Pilot.





View of the surrounding sky and mountains near Port au Prince

Beautiful day. No problems until about 15 minutes from pignon and the weather turned bad. We had to set the plane down on a runway in a village called Hinch. But I would not call it a runway. We had to fly over the strip to clear off the goats, chickens and people. Then when we landed it was all rock. I thought the landing gear was going to come off. I have always wanted to know what a carrier landing was like and this was probably the closest I will come. Luckily we got the plane stopped and the pilot said "see no problem man'". Holy cow. But he was an excellent pilot.

We were swarmed by people and waited out the storm under the wing of the plane.


It was Sunday and the this little guy had come from church.

Got back in about an hour later and flew to Pignon. It had a nice grass strip that was smooth. Here is a video of the landing on the grass field.

Arrived at the dorm and immediately went to clinic. Dr. Fogarty and the team had already signed up a bunch of patients. The hospital was unbelievable. People everywhere in the corners, halls, some bad trauma.

Monday we operated until about 7:00pm and then had clinic until 8:00pm. Holy cow I was beat all day. Not to mention I didn't sleep at all Sunday night due to the roosters outside my window. They started at 1:00am and never stopped. uggg.

So far we have done 3 cleft lips, a palate, a latissimus flap for a bad burn contracture of the right arm a bad finger burn contracture. Many others as well. I believe we have 40 cases scheduled this week.

The little ones with the cleft lips were soooo cute. There was one who was 8 y/o (named Jessica) who just smiled like it was the only emotion she had. really sweet.

Finished a little early yesterday and Stuart, Maria and I climbed the 2000 foot peak here in Pignon. Wow what a climb. Straight up. Wasn't really a trail more like a water shed area. Gorgeous view from the top. Reminded me a lot of Africa.

Stuart on the Trailand Our Talkitive Guides to the top of the mountian

The view form the top. Pignon is in the distance at the base of the hill.

Also went to the local cemetery where there were voodoo dolls hanging from the trees. Interesting aspect of death here. You only rent space at the cemetery. A lot of open graves with bones of the dead just lying in the dirt. Very surreal and a little spooky.