Cambodia motobike tour - Day 3

I had my first REAL 3rd world experience today. We got up and off this morning, delivered some books, pens, and candy to children along the way, and came across a guy who had been totally tossed from his motorbike and was unconcious in the road. It was really scary because at home, you'd just call 911 and get an ambulance to the hospital, but here the nearest hospital may be half an hour down a bad road, and no one in the village has a car! Luckily an Aussie woman who works in an orphanage near Siem Reap was passing by as well (westerner number 2 of 2 on the trip), and she had a good first aid kit with her. We got him cleaned up a bit and bandaged, but his left pinky was gashed nearly to the bone and needed stitches badly. I wanted to pull my sewing kit and try to stitch him up, but Heang was already freaking out about me touching him in the first place with all of the blood. But what can you do really, but be as careful as you can and do anything possible to help. I had no cuts on my hands, and we used lots of alcohol and peroxide. It took him a good 15 minutes to come to, and another 20-30 to be interactive and responsive. I shined my headlamp (thanks lab!) in his eyes to see if they reponded well to light, and thank god they did because what would I have done if they didn't! We stressed to the villagers the importance of making sure he is able to wake up and be responsive ever 2-4 hours or so, left him with some ibuprofen and powdered penicillin, and hoped for the best that he'd be okay. He was able to sit up and drink some water, though, so i think he'll be alright. And the look on his face when he first opened his eyes and saw me was pretty priceless ;)