Olá! I can’t believe Pablo and I are finally in Brazil! While we haven’t made it to Barretos yet, we are so excited to be here! Also we are already learning so much Portuguese! Over the last few since exams have ended, I have worked on meeting with the various teams whose devices we are taking, gathering parts for the Teledermatology device and learning how all the devices work. And while I am extremely excited to finally get to use and test the Teledermatology device, I, along with many others, have been working on all semester, I also can’t wait to demo the Chemoseal device (it is really awesome, and so much fun to demo).

 (Chemoseal)

At this time, I have to give a major shout out to Pablo who has been working extremely hard to put together the devices we have brought with us to Brazil while I was on a medial outreach trip in San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala (thankyouthankyouthankyou). He has been super amazing getting things ready for our departure, and I wish I could have been there to help!

During my 24 hour stop in Houston between Guatemala and Brazil, I was able to complete a few last tasks. What was especially fun was learning how to use a laser cutter to cut acrylic covers for the dermascope section of the teledermatology device. These covers will allow healthcare workers to sanitize the device easily.

However, while I was in Guatemala, I had been using the time to prepare in other ways. First and foremost is with Portuguese. While I can speak enough Spanish to comfortably converse and get by on my own in any Spanish speaking country, Portuguese is a whole other beast. So in my down time I have been trying to study Portuguese as much as possible. And therefore in this blog, I am going to try and throw in some words here and there as I learn them!

All in all, I am so excited and unbelievably grateful for this amazing opportunity and can’t wait to get to Barretos and get to work! Até logo! See you later!

P.s. here is a shot from our Houston departure at dusk!