On this Sunday we were "mandated" a day off.
It was... Election Day.
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| "Exercise your right to vote and vote early" |
Spanky Project's Gladys Morales was working at one of the polling stations.
We were invited to visit.
For some news on those elections have a look at this article in
Granma, the newspaper of Cuba's Communist Party.
After our polling station visit it was off to Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón.
Colon is the final resting place for many famous Cubans.
The likes of writers Alejo Carpentier , Dulce María Loynaz'.
It is also home to the living.
Actually, the whole day we were just killing time until some special guests arrived
Stephanie - Courtney - Leslie - Shelley
Four VetTechs from Southern Ontario.
Steph and I have been in contact for years.
She has a love of Cuba and animals.
She is now set with her second career as recent Vet Tech graduate.
She told me a few years ago that once she graduated
she was going to work with the
Spanky Project in Havana.
She kept her promise.
They generously took two days out of their beach vacation to spend working with us in Havana.
Even thought they got bumped from Hostal Los Frailes and had to spend the night at the Hotel Florida they were a happy gang.
They were also kind enough to haul three bags
I had pre-packed for them.
Toronto - Varadero - Havana.
Good Morning Havana!
We were up and out at the crack of dawn to head to
Talapiedra Cochero Garage.
After the group shot and the opening of the gates ...
... we paired Courtney, a farrier before her Vet Tech career,
with Talapiedria's "herrero".
Hoof care and related matters were discussed with Gladys providing the translations.
Outside the Cocheros and their horses began to arrive.
Quite the crowd amassed as Dr.Travers and Dr.Belovich
oversaw the treatment of the horses.
At the end of the treatment session we had a get together.
The Cocheros had an opportunity to express some of the day to day
concerns they have for their horses.
The Cocheros gave us a ride back to Plaza de San Francisco or
as the locals call it "Plaza de las Palomas".
There we caught taxis to the clinic.
After arriving Emma gave an orientation to the crew.
Leslie and Steph in the "prep room"
Pet cats get their nails clipped - colony cats don't.
We celebrated Dra.Rocio's Birthday with a cake thanks to Frank.
She put her surgical skills to work by cutting us all a piece.
On this day we dewormed 65 horses and sterilized 58 cats.
Certainly a reason to dance.
Shelly being experienced in neuters did a few for us.
Day two, with our four Canadian Techs, saw another 40 cats sterilized.
At the end of the day Courtney, Stephanie, Leslie and Shelley headed back to the beach.
Their volunteer time with us was much appreciated by all.
I hope they join us again.
OAVT continuing education credits are available to Vet Techs that work with us.
