Soul Searching

So through some one I met to whom I mentioned my desire to do aid work for the local people (who have almost no access to local healthcare) I was put in touch with a woman that runs a foundation for sustainable building. she in turn put me in touch with people that run a local free clinic.
Originally the clinic was set up as a birthing birthing center for the local population and quickly became a source for all kinds of healthcare. The offer midwife services, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, body work. all for free to the people that live in the area (most of whom are extremely poor).
As fate would have it the woman that originally sent me to the local clinic (who herself is very involved in local philanthropy) offered me to stay in her place in exchange for treatments for her and her assistant.
The first stroke of luck, her place turns out to be a gorgeous resort. Five or six separate cottages, with their own swimming pools, some with jacuzzis all created and designed by her. Truly amazing and wonderful.

The second stroke of luck was that the acupuncturist working at the local clinic was going on vacation for a month and they were extremely happy to have someone help out (that would be me). The acupuncturist here, Bobbi, was kind enough to stick around for the first day and show me the ropes. She left a successful practice in the Hamptons to come here and help. She is doing an amazing job.
Although the first day was supposed to be really slow because Bobbi had told everyone there would be no clinic (and then I showed up!). It wasn’t as busy as usual but we treated at least twenty people, farmers that live outdoors on a mountainside to little kids. It was a great experience. I have two more weeks of clinic before I’m off to java.
Then comes the third stroke of luck, it turns out that they are in desperate need of aid in an area known as Aceh (not to be confused with Banda Aceh - a tourist resort). It’s in a Muslim area, torn apart by civil war and devastated by the tsunami (yeah, I had totally forgotten about that - I thought if it wasn’t in the news any more it can’t be that bad… I was wrong). They asked if I would be willing to go and help, warning me that it was slightly dangerous, with miserable living conditions (all of the aid workers sleep in a big open room on top of the clinic), and not a lot in the way of food or personal comfort. Of course, I replied I would be delighted to lend a hand. It is exactly what this trip is about for me. I’ll fly out on a Red Cross plane in two weeks and do a week there before I head back home to New York for a week.