Craig & Nancy, Rada, Dr. Bennett, Dr. Jovan, Dr. Envera, Marcia
On Friday, May 11, Dr. George and Marcia Bennett flew into Podgorica to set up a Neonatal Resuscitation Training. On Monday we met with neonatalogists at the Podgorica Children's Hospital. This hospital will host the other medical centers in Montenegro. Doctors, nurses, midwives, and other hospital staff from around the country will come in November to be trained. They in turn will go back to their centers and train the rest of their staff.
In the afternoon we met with the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health. He was excited for this program as he has worked in emergency rooms.
Tuesday, May 15, we took our translator Rada and Podgorica Contact Person, Neonatalogist Dr. Envera, and went to Kotor to see another medical facility. After visiting the medical center and explaining the program to the head personel, Dr. Jovan of Kotor offered to take us on a tour of Kotor's Old Towne. We found out that he is a scholar when it comes to Kotor's history. He knew about every brick and detail. Here are a few highlights:
Old Towne Kotor has the remains of 9 palaces, 14 churches, 17 public buildings and fortifications that cover a period of 1,000 years. We are standing at the West Gate. The sea used to go up to the gate.
These figures are in the entry way as you enter the West Gate. The first is the keeper of the city. The second is Mother Mary and Baby Jesus. The third is the keeper of the scriptures.
The narrow passage ways.
See the round knave on this Orthodox Church. They started building these around the 800-900's.
The dates on this Catholic Church are 809 and 2009 celebrating 1200 years.
This was a monastery. See the window on second floor in the middle that is now filled up with concrete? They used to hang a rope outside this window with a basket on the ground. If someone couldn't care for their baby, they could put it in the basket and ring a bell. The nuns would retrieve the baby and care for it.
Some passage ways were private. They would have their crest inside the tunnel.
One family's crest.
France occupied Kotor from 1801-1807. One family bought the right to use the fleur de lis on their crest.
This shows some Gothic architecture. It may be a person's home. Five thousand people live in Kotor's Old Towne.
This is the exit out the South Gate. The ball and chains were for raising and lowering the drawbridge.
This is the exterior of the South Gate. Although Kotor had many occupiers over the years, they boast that the Turks of the Ottoman Empire never conquered Kotor.
It was a great experience to learn about Kotor and to visit with each other as we will all be working together in November.
On the way home we passed this hotel in Sveti Stefan where only famous people can stay.
Montenegro is one giant mountain range. The mountains go right to the edge of the Adriatic Sea.
An Orthodox Church and a Catholic Church each on its own island.
How neat to have someone who knows the history of the town with you. In Japan we visited all kinds of shrines, but never had the benefit of a knowledgeabl guide. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteLove love love this stuff. It looks like you guys are getting the royal tours to all the "hidden" nooks and crannies in the country. It's wonderful that the churches donations will be reaching so many newborns and their families in the future. It must be a very rewarding experience to get to work with the medical professionals and communities in improving so many lives. Love to you both!
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