I was a little harsh about Mahahual in my last post. I admit that I found it rather depressing.

Still, there was great beauty there as well and we met some really wonderful people who live there. Even in the middle of rebuilding their lives and their homes they showed up to help with the vet clinic and to make sure that all of us had a great time.

We set up in a house in a neighborhood called las casitas, it is concrete block construction and farther away from the ocean so there was damage but not total destruction. A lot of people are living there while they rebuild their houses. It's got a neat, funky air to it, there are coffee shops (one of which had free wireless and was my first chance at getting online in almost a week) and friendly neighbors and a lot of construction and repair going on.

This is Kelly, always in motion. She is the incredible organizer, coordinator and work horse for these clinics. She is always upbeat, always looking at the glass half full and truly a joy to know.

She tells me there will be a web page soon for the organization, I'll post the URL when I get it.

It may seem amazing considering that the places these clinics are held are not designed for surgery or sterile conditions, but there really is an order to it all.

I think it is eye opening in many ways for some of the vets who come down for the first time.

Keeping infection down and maintaining a sterile operating environment is part of it but keeping sand out and keeping your patient from falling off the unstable plastic tables is another part. It's also difficult for them because they are dealing with animals that are in worse shape than any they see at home.

They were a great group though, caring and kind and taking time to reassure and talk to the owners. I am so proud to know them.

We had enormous logistical help from many people in Mahahual.

They had beach houses and hotel rooms available and even a great spot across from the ocean for our Tortuga.

We ate every night at one of the best restaurants I've been to anywhere. It's owned by a Dutch couple and the food was simple, wonderful and interesting. We had a fondue night with cheese and meat and vegetables and fruit - it was the best meal I've had in a long time. If you are ever in Mahahual, be sure to eat at the Travel In'

I didn't do much at this clinic. My knee and my back were not good and walking was painful, bending down was impossible. I ran some errands, drove people around, and tried to make sure Mimi ate occasionally.

I wish I had been able to help Linda more, she is amazing and does the really hard job of sorting out people and animals and keeping them all in order and documented.

I have been jonesing for cigarettes and the internet this past week, I'm not sure which I missed more.