Feets and Toasts!

Dr. Mango has already given you the heads up on our meeting with the Minister of Health. Afterwards, the teams split up again. Dr. Mango, Oxsana, and myself went back to the orphanage in Strasheni while Patrick, Dr. Garland, and Vanessa went to the military hospital. Elise, Dr. Horowitz and Caroline dis some work at Dr. Uncuta's office. So...the ride to Strasheni was terrific! Oxsana was telling us about her research in endodontics (that's root canals for all you non-dental folks!), we talked about our families and a bunch more. Once we reached the orphanage we got straight to work! We saw 8 children total--practiced a few more restorations and sealants and extracted another tooth. I met the most amazing little boy, Petra! I was working on his maxillary molar (it was bombed out!) and I tried to tell him "No dare" (which means no pain) and tell him to raise his hand if it hurts (but he doesn't speak English). So I'm off to the races just working away and I look down there are little tears falling from his eyes. The kids are so amazing here! Most children would kick and scream and he just sat there and didn't say a word. They are all so brave! So I numbed him up real good but the decay was too deep and we ended up having to pull the tooth. He was actually laughing while Dr. Mango was extracting. He was so excited to see that tooth came out of his mouth. He gave me a hug and hurried off to lunch.

John Maxemchuck, an American who now lives in Moldova and owns the television station here took us to the exclusive Grill House. The food was delicious! I had mashed potatoes and the best steak I've eaten in life. Great conversations, great food, and great times in Moldova -- Feets and Toasts!!! (which is the American simplified version of how the Moldovans say Cheers) . Then it was time to celebrate.

Once again the 'kiddie table' hit the town. The after party at Dance Planet left something to be desired. As soon as we walked in the door, the bouncer was being a jerk. Col. Mix and I couldn't really get into the techno music so we were ready to leave. The After-after party was at Deja Vu. The bartenders definetly remembered us from the Tuesday night. We didn't set the place on fire this time, but the night was spectacular (no suprise!) ...and we paid for it in the morning....lets leave it at that :-D!