Brazil

22. The problem is the hospital is only one step above the clinic in state of the art medical equipment.
23. Wait on bench for 15 minutes.
24. Watch "nurses" go by. At least we think they are nurses because they are dressed in white but that is where the resemblance ends. My mom always looked very demure when she went to work. These women are dressed in the traditional Brazilian clothing style: tight dresses and stiletto heels, albeit all in white.
25. Nurse comes and takes Kate's name and address. They never take her temperature, blood pressure, or medical history. Well, they do not speak English so this of course is a problem.
26. More screaming - everyone in corridor looks on in horror at Kate and in sympathy at me trying to calm her down.
27. Orthopedic assistant arrives and takes us to a room reminiscent of the clinic - enough said.
28. He speaks a bit of English and gets some details about the accident.
29. He takes Kate for another painkiller shot and then x-rays.
30. We walk through the emergency room and I tell Kate not to look at anyone -- very scary scene.
31. I am not allowed in the x-ray room so I have to listen to her screams from the bench I am on that has ripped seats and rusted arms.
32. The woman sends us back to the doctor but we cannot find him.
33. We wait in anguish because we have no idea what to do as no one speaks English.
34. A man in white appears and motions for us to come into a room. He could be a janitor for all we know. He speaks no English, but is very friendly and smiling.
35. He starts to put a cast on and Kate cannot stop screaming in pain which attracts a curious crowd at the door.
36. Cast is on but the pain seems to continue which has me secretly worried a trip to Rio may be in our immediate future but I do not let this on to Kate.
37. Brought to another room where Kate gets another shot in the bum in front of a room full of people.
38. Nurse tells us we can go. We do not have to pay.
39. How the heck do we get out of here? We cannot find the exit.
40. Eventually find exit but have no idea how to get back to the island because the ferry is in four hours and Kate really needs to lie down.
41. Walk for a bit and try and find a cab but Kate cannot go far.
42. Find a woman who calls us a cab.
43. At the port, I find a sailboat leaving in half an hour but it is full.
44. I beg the man explaining about Kate's arm but he is adamant because the boat is only allowed to hold a certain amount of people.
45. Tell him we will pay double.
46. Of course, now he miraculously can take two more passengers.
47. An hour and a half back to the island and Kate is still in serious pain and crying.
48. Get back to pousada and get more painkillers from the pharmacy.
49. Marco says the pain is normal and will last for a few days so not to worry.
50. Relieved, I put a weary Kate to bed.

Let me tell you... that makes going to the bank in Brazil an absolute pleasure!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank god all she did was break her elbow. It could have been much worse. And only 5 days left, so I will not have to carry her backpack too much! I think she did it on purpose because we have to wash our laundry by hand at the pousada and she absolutely hates that!!!!

I can only hope that really is the end of all our adventures in South America.............

"To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. You are surrounded by adventure. You have no idea of what is in store, but you will, if you are wise and know the art of travel, let yourself go on the stream of the unknown and accept whatever comes in the spirit in which the gods may offer it."

Dame Freya Stark