A new week, a new story. The last 2 days we moved down from Jepara to Mlonngo. But first.

Grave news, my computer’s processor or memory stopped working, the work of a virus or the bloody hot environment here. I was able to back-up everything important from the memory but use of my laptop is impossible.

For the ones who know me most, this is a harsch kick-off method, no screen to watch for at least a month or so.

My presentation to the senior from Universitas Diplonegoro in semarang was a bit handicapped by not having the presentation I worked on for 20+ hours… Great… Fotune with me, he took the news lightly, and did not redicule my stupidity too much for not having a back-up. Lesson learnd. ALWAYS back-up.

The last week in Jepara was not much to mention apart from that, doing shifts, seeing some strange problems again. Perhaps Artesunate resistance in my Casus besar patiënt, interresting for tine and her boss I think. And ofcourse the number of motor-accidents again. One particulairy was impressive, a 15year old girl with her face ripped open from top to bottom, not a sight you are confronted with in the netherlands everyday.

Saturday we packed our backs and left for Mlonggo to the local healthcenter. Our cabdriver was local celeberty, Hari Prayoga, a paramedic with a furniture business.

First we went installing our stuff in Mlonngo in the, considering indonesian standards, very luxorious guesthouse. We have our rooms with 1 or 2 on a room, and a building with a mess for maximum 5 people. The indonesian co-ass are with 15 in 1 dormitory room, and 1 mess. Apart from that we actually have a shower (This news got sanne and loes screaming, my ears still bleed).

After that on to Bandaganbeach! The best beach of Jepara, at least they say. For once it was right :D After arriving on the white beach with palmtrees, coconuts and a hot sun we enjoyed the scenery behind a beer or 2. After this we finally went for a swim in the sea, the first time in 2 months, including some wrestling with the locals this made for a very good day, but please check the photographs.

Sunday we had our go with a chauffeur to the local mountains to see a waterfall and the local countryside and the portugese fort allong the coast. The waterfall and mountains where breathtaking, but the portugese fort nothing but a pile of stones, including fake cannons etcetera. At the waterfall we had some good photo-shoots as true indonesians do at every site they come :D

Soon there will be a lot more to tell about the Puskesmas we are in now, but since we haven’t seen any real patients that will come next week.

Graver news though, yesterday my grandma had a small stroke, which she seemingly recovered from with little handicap. Unfortunately she recently seized anti-coagulants, because she had side-effects. She did not seek help when having the first symptoms, because she did not want to bother the doctor, thereby being to late for any treatment. Even though I am nearly a doctor I seem not be able to make my grandma see the importancy of seeking help, perhaps because I am. I really fear that continuing this road will end me up not having a grandma when I am back in the Netherlands, ecpecially what I already was desperately trying to prevent. We have to be lucky she is still alive.

I think I should perhaps not mention this on my log, but I nevertheless do so, since I hope that placing this on my log also encourages my grandma to seek help faster next time. Also it is what occupied my thoughts the most recently.

Oma, ben alsjeblieft voorzichtig en niet zo koppig.

Take care all,

Maarten