Situated on one of the world's best surf beaches, Puerto attracts travelers from across the globe. Euro languages are heard more then English and most of the tourists seem to come for the waves. Not that this applied to me as I painfully recalled the coral reef and sea urchins that defeated me on my first attempt. Thus I spent my time sipping lucuados and reading the history of Cortez's invasion. As the Mexican sun torched my Washington skin I was once again reminded that I belong in the mountains, not the ocean.
Fortunately we were referred to Danny and Melanie Machado, who live just south of town with the Pacific a stones throw away. We had such a good time that Steve decided he ought to develop an allergic reaction to one of the local hornets. As his arm swelled we obliged to spend a few days close to a doctor. Our extended stay gave us a better feel for future volunteer opportunities and lessons learned from the past.
With tourists, locals and numerous Indian villages close by, Puerto offers a diverse spectrum of service options. As a nutrionalist, Melanie provides education and vitamins both in town and in the outlying mountain regions. Subsiding off a heavily vegetarian diet, the Indians suffer from many forms of malnutrition. Iron deficiency is prevalent as the rugged topography and limited finances provide little opportunity for meat. Many of these villages are completely closed and approaches from outsiders are met with sharp resistance. Though usually they are more open to receiving medical aid.