Team Baja-Day 1

The group: Dr Cathy (trip leader) from Deer Park, Washington, Dr Mike a 2008 WSU grad who is soon heading off for an emergency medicine job in Portland, Dr Suzanne a veterinarian from Spokane, Dr Lori a veterinarian from Minneapolis, Erica and Lindsay both 3rd vet students from WSU, Liesl and Christine, both 3rd year veterinary students from Michigan State, Kaitlyn a Psychology student from New Hampshire, Angie a veterinary technican from Washington, Val, a veterinary drug rep from Washington DC and Denise, a librarian from Philadelphia.

The World Vets volunteers came from all corners of the country to meet up in LA for this trip. Ten of us met up at the airport in LA. Kaitlyn was already in Loreto a couple days ahead of us and met us at the airport there. Val, unfortunately, did not make her connection in LA after a long flight from Washington DC. We tried to get them to hold the plane but didn’t have any luck. She will come in on tomorrows flight. When we arrived in Loreto, we were greeted by Lucy and Misty (from Animalandia) who were holding a “Welcome World Vets” sign at the airport. The customs agents thoroughly inspected our bags of medical supplies but let us go through without any trouble. We picked up our rental cars (3 for the group) and headed north to the villa at coyote beach. The owner told us it was about a 45 minute drive but in reality it was about an hour and a half. On our way, we came across a military roadblock inspection out in the middle of the desert. Dr Cathy’s car went through first with no troubles, then Dr. Mike as well. In the rear view mirror we could see that Angie’s car had been stopped for inspection. They all had to get out of the car. Everyone was wearing their World Vets shirts so the guards asked about what they were doing. When they found out that we were doing sterilization surgeries they said that one of their fellow guards needed our help because he already had 8 kids. Luckily it was all laughs and no trouble at the roadblock and we were back on our way again. We were very excited to see our accommodations for the next few nights. A huge Spanish Villa with a private beach. It was in a nice bay with calm blue water and nearly white sand. The room selection process went smoothly and everyone seemed happy with their spot in the house. Since Val would be arriving late, we decided to reserve the nicest room for her when she arrived. There weren’t enough beds for everyone so we brought air mattresses to accommodate everyone. Dr Cathy slept on the dining room floor, Angie slept on the living room floor and Dr Mike and Dr Suzanne slept out on some nice areas of the porch outside. We drove into Mulege for dinner and to pick up groceries. We went to a pig roast at a little restaurant on an airstrip. I think most of the people there had flown in. The table next to ours herd that we were doing volunteer vet work so they paid the Mariachi band to come over and play for us. Dinner was good (although we hadn’t eaten for most of the day so it may have tasted better than it actually was). We then drove around the town of Mulege looking for a grocery store to stock up on groceries. Since the villa is a ways away from any town, we decided we’d buy some food to BBQ on Sunday instead of going again. We all sat out on the beach and talked until the early hours of the morning before going to sleep. We have a great group of people!

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