Home Visit

So I went on a home visit with my friend Diphile with the physical therapist at the mental health clinic...it was very different than my first home visit. After arriving at the clinic we went to catch a bus...very different than any bus I have ever taken...The buses dont come to a complete stop here...they are overcrowded and you have to get a head start to jump on as people pull you in...the seats are tiny...maybe its because I am so tall, but my legs were unable to fit in front of me, and people screaming...there were even women with children strapped to their backs running for the bus and it still did not make a complete stop....we were on there for about 25 minutes as we made our way across the city...grabbing people as we went.

We finally arrive at our stop and I look up...there is a staircase....a very long staircase making its way straight up the mountain...our visit was at the very top...with the altitude we were out of breath by the time we got there. When we arrived the therapist knocked on the door and asked the girl for her grandmother...she came out to approve our visit and we walked through the tin door and into the house. The house was a square room...smaller than my freshman year college dorm room if you can imagine...there was an old bed across one wall with a beaten up mattress pad and a girl with severe cerebral palsy...she was clubbed foot and had a hard time expressing any facial expressions...we took natural orange essential oil and massaged her joints and muscles...but that is about all the care they can afford to give...the oil is more exotic and professional than anything else they have...but obviously not enough... on the other wall was a stove with all their food in it, one corner all their clothes with a small table and the other wall was the door. In the middle of the room was a large swarm of flies...the grandmother raised 4 girls in this concrete and wood room and they owned one rooster and 2 dogs that wandered outside...a bit of a reality check to say the least...we were informed that this was the poorest community in Ayacucho.

We then went to another home visit...which was down the mountain and several blocks away...when arriving...it was definitely larger than the first home, but not necessarily more aesthetically pleasing...there was a boy, Joseph, strapped to wheel chair...he had such severe epilepsy that his body became paralyzed due to the extensive amount of seizures...he was also very aggressive so he was strapped into the wheel chair...the therapist did the same type of minor treatment on him, spoke with his little sister who looked out for him and were on our way back to the clinic...Ill never forget that room in the first one and have never seen the various scale of poverty as I had that day...details are hard to describe...but grateful I got to see it, because it provided me with a better understanding of how desperate people may be, but at the same time those girls who lived there were so happy...laughing and playing with anything they could find...it was as if they did not even realize what they were missing.

Went to the orphanage this afternoon and got to play with babies...they were so beautiful...the facility was a lot nicer than I had expected...the nuns run that and the nursing home here and those are the 2 nicest places in Ayacucho and Huamanga that I have seen so far...it was not depressing in any way and they looked very well cared for, which was refreshing and fun to be there.

Ha...heres something rather funny...another volunteer got locked in her room today...the lock broke when she slammed the door and no one knew....until they had heard her screaming and pounding 20 minutes later...she was in there for a long time...they had to call a locksmith to come and physically remove the door....she was understandably rather frustrated....but it was pretty entertaining...something a little light hearted finally...anyways...thats all for now!

The Coast...

So as much as I have grown to appreciate Peruvian culture...their sense of timing is not....superb?....The seven hour ride through the mountains to the coast was a bit longer than anticipated....turned out to be over eight...so now I have learned to + 60 min to time limits....anyways...we finally arrived in Ika...a major coast town...triple the population of my current home in Ayacucho....we arrived starving and went to a restaraunt where they only served chicken and papas..the music was so loud we couldnt talk so exhausted we ate in silence as the Peruvian band danced around us...went to out hostal, which was more like a hotel and asthetically pleasing...got up early the next day and drove to the high desert...we ate an authentic meal and walked around...we were in a town that is an oasis in the middle of this massive desert...there is a natural lake in between huge sand mountains....they were not comparable to dunes...they were much larger....towering above this oasis town...it was unreal...Peru is incredibly more diverse than I had imagined...we then went sandboarding....amazing...one of the most fun things I have ever done...we got into these cars, they looked straight out of the movie Transformers....or the Incredibles...no doors...they strapped us in with these intense seat belts...and we floored it up these sand mountains...safety is not necessaily a priority in Peru...I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride, but with sand blowing all over...we got to the top of the peak and got out....they unstrapped us to these boards...they look just like snowboards, but are waxed on the bottom....I laid down on my stomach as they strapped me on to this board and before I knew I was ready they pushed me down and all the sudden wemt flying down this sand mountain... so fun...except a few screamed..leaving them with a mouth full of sand...very entertaining....HIGHLY recommend it!!

We then drove to Nasca...stayed in a hostel that looked like a very sterile doctors office...with the same corny art...but grateful it was clean...got up early the next morning and went to the airport...after paying another airport tax...got on these planes that seat 12 people and took off to see the Nasca Lines...the lines are these crazy designs and figures that have been drawn out in the flat land of the desert over 2000 years ago by the Nasca tribes for religious and ceremonial purposes...they are in shapes of animals, hands..etc....but you can see them from the plane ride...really famous archeological site...and there are a lot of mysteries that still remain about them....half the people got sick on our plane from the nausea...the pilot consistenly flipped the plane side to side so each isle could get a good view....I was fine, but it did not take so well with most people...it was very cool to see and incredible it has been around that long...but have to admit I was not as impressed as I thought I would be...they were rather hard to make out and I guess I just may not appreciate the significance of them as much as I should...good experience though...then saw a traditional potter that made crazy Nascan ceramics...showed us how he did his work and still has pottery that was created by the Nascan tribes...such high quality that it has been preserved over 2000 years...pretty crazy when you think about it...they sure knew how to make their art.

We then drove to a beach town called Parakas...right on the water...little village, it was so nice to see a body of water..it had been awhile...and the air was finally not stark dry like in the Andes...we stayed at a cool hostel...looked like a bread and breakfast...and Poncho and I bonded on the trip...so he gave me a single room, which was awesome...first time I had personal space in a month...but as I began to settle in the ENTIRE town had a black out....I climbed to the roof to check out what was happening, because everyone had split up...and the locals were walking around with head lamps very casually....I take it black outs are common in Parakas....I found out later that it was a single hair dryer that caused the whole village to lose electricity....different level than American technology...it was cool for star gazing....Southern Cross is beautiful down here....finally after all that commotion woke up the next morning anf jumped on a motor boat that took us to the islands that had crazy wildlife...apparently similair to the Galapagos Islands, but not as extensive. The weather reminded me of Northern California....overcast, windy, cold, lots of waves in the water...our boat driver had a bad lisp...so his English was hard to understand, but the sea life was cool...there were these crazy edgy cliffs and caves filled with sea lions, penuins, and condors...cool to see....there are locals who make their living collecting these animals waste and making fertilizer out of it...there was an old building...looked like a mini Alkatraz....that was their central business...hah...the things people do for money down here...but cool...went back into town had ceviche and fish,....shopped around...the most beautiful turquoise I have ever seen...and loaded back up for the mountainous car ride....it was cool though...watched some movies in Spanish...and learned all about Kenyan and Burundian politics from my friend Diphile...

Now back in Ayacucho at this make shift internet cafe...and starving...they served coy for dinner...guniea pig....I am all about trying new things, but the problem was that I woke up at 5 this morning to amplified squealing...because apparently our dinner was being slaughtered at the guniea pig farm across the street...which takes place on the rooftop of our neighbors....the appeal was shot right there....it was all bone too...Peruvians love the stuff though...I just remember my friends having them as pets growing up...hard to grasp...no thank you....tired of Peruvian food...the meat here is cooked so well that it is tough to rid of all the potential bacterim and parasites in it and almost always chicken...and 200 kinds of potatoes all generally taste the same...just weird shapes...missing my moms food or American food in general...as exotic as Peruvian food may sound...the mentality tends to be...lets cook whats available....really well....and then add some spice....I saw a Snickers bar on the coast trip...never been so excited for American junk food...we know how to make chocolate...it was 5 sol...but totally worth it...the little things in life I am learning to appreciate more :)

Had coffee today at the plaza with some volunteers...a bit older than me...but heard some of the craziest stories about international living and traveling...lots of insight...I never figured I would learn as much as my fellow volunteers as I have....perhaps more so than the local people...or maybe just in different ways...people are fascinating...

Anyways, thats the summary of the coast...so fun...it was great to get out of the homebase too with all the chaos going on....the girl who had sever bruising got flown home...apparently she had a severe blood platelet problem and being at such a high altitude cause it to escalate..so she is being hospitalized back in the states....and all my friends are feeling better finally, which is amazing....it was discovered they had picked up an E coli bacterium infection...I feel lucky that one passed me up...thats all for now...more updates later.

Ohh what a night.... 5 people in my house were severely ill last night...my roomates were crawling on the floor for 3 hours barely able able to move....they got taken to the hospital and are still there on an IV...still unsure what they have, but say a prayer for them...they are miserable....one of the new volunteers got air flighted to Lima this morning, because she had these rather large bruises forming all over her body that were a black color....yet she had not run into anything....they think it is her blood clotting from a sever reaction to the altitude...im pretty worried about her...but here there is 1 doctor for 3000 people...so the healthcare as you can imagine in less than marginal...to be determined.

You know.... I feel very safe her as far as the people and culture...but these illnesses are spreading like wildfire...I am 1 out of 4 roomates who is somewhat healthy...I am looking forward to leaving for the coast this afternoon...escape all this craziness...I will be back on Monday afternoon...so more updates then...excited for sand boarding...

Started placement yesterday at the mental health clinic...worked with people diagnosed with schizophrenia who are in occupational therapy.....they make the most beautiful pieces of artwork...tapestries, jewelry....etc....they are all very calm....I suspect due to medication..not what I expected, but are able to live with their families and still maintain a career....4 times a year local vendors come and gather their artwork and sell it around Huamanga (Ayacucho City)...we also observed an evalutation for a boy with severe autism....I feel as if he had something more though...he was not your typical autistic introvert...and seemed to have subtle social skills...results come back today...I also met 2 doctors from P.A.M.S....Peruvian, American Medical Society...who were making their rounds for 8 weeks in local clinics...it was refreshing to talk to Americans...it has been awhile since I have seen any besides fellow volunteers...I am going to home visits today to help with physical therapy with patients that are bed ridden...looking forward to it...hopefully they will be more productive than they were the first day...I was sad to leave the school, but am really looking forward to learning as much as I can at the mental health clinic...alright off to placement and then the coast!....I'll share more after the trip...Have a great weekend!

So....had my best placement today!...finally I can speak Spanish...my kids are making progress...Artemio, who is paralyzed can now move his arms on his own...and I took him to the hospital and had an awesome conversation with his doctor...he was trying to learn English as I am Spanish and learned a lot about Peru and their view on the states...he then asked me if I would like to play basketball with him, some other doctors, and some high school students he teaches...so I am gathering some friends and going tomorrow...that should be comical.

A few days ago some friends and I went to the national futbol (soccer) game...it was Lima vs. Ayacucho...we won...it was pretty fun...they love their soccer...last night went out for my first real meal in a while...it was amazing...yet we got a few surprises...when we asked for cheese on our sandwich the waitress brought out a huge pile of string cheese on the side and when we asked for our check she brought us spoons??....haha I guess you had to be there, but we looked pretty ridiculous...but a good meal.

Last week I went to the nursing home in the afternoon...we gave the women hand massages and talked to them...one lady I spent time with was deaf....she was very sweet though...after massaging her hands she made it clear she wanted me to stay and give me something...so as she is sitting on a bench and I am below her on the ground, she digs into her skirt and pulls out a plastic bag...I could not see what she was trying to give me...I opened my hand and she gave me a handful of raw chicken...it was a very generous gift...but shocking...maybe one of the more bazaar occurences yet...haha...went home and showered...wasnt sure how long that had been in her pocket...oh surprises...the other volunteers got a good laugh out of my reaction...I was at a lost for words...

This weekend we are going to the Coast...its a 7 hour ride through the mountains...but worth it I am told...going sand boarding, boating, and on these mini airplines to view the nasca lines and wildlife...Poncho is taking us...he is from Ikka...one of the coast  towns...so we get to meet his fam...should be fun.

Had my first hot shower today...definitely made my day...the little things I miss back home.

But for now, that is it...the stike is over...the school close after this week, ohh and went to a lecture from an obstetrician last night...she spoke on healthcare...it all had to be translated...but we learned about types of healthcare, pregnancy rates, abortion...etc...the most shocking thing was the types of birth control they take...the govt hands out this liquid form that women inject into their arms every three months...its free....so its the most prominent form...also there is an age range of 10-14 year olds who get pregnant...I was shocked...I can only imagine...but the care seems to be improving...everyone in Peru...gets healthcare...some are just more quality than others...and some are fully taken care of by the govt.

There is a bootlegged version of the new Harry Potter coming tomorrow...pretty excited..

goodbye for now...

Swine Flu

Apparently they are closing ALL the schools in the country, because of a few outbreaks of swine flu....my placements changes once again...now a mental health clinic....ohh the politics...they are very paranoid here...fair enough though...they have no vaccines...so it spreads fast...

Just took my first salsa lesson...it was a hmm...a challenge....but fun!...I looked hilarious next to the expert, but its a work in progress...

Buenos Noches

Traveling & Protestors

So after traveling for 5 days we came back from the airport and there were large rocks and broken glass all over the streets because of the strike...no one is supposed to work, not even drive...it was quite the welcoming from a 3 am flight back to our homebase...so today we woke up and there are burning tires and rocks with angry protestors on the street again...last day though, thank god...the people here want pay raises and for the prime minister to resign...pretty bold expectations...not sure how effectivce it will be, but it shall be interesting..

Went to Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Maccu Piccu this weekend...and Lima...never traveled so much in such a little time...we almost missed our flight as we sprinted across the airport...cusco was awesome...our hostal was just ok, but we went through the Sacred Valley...saw some really cool markets, the town was really fun..the bars and "discotecas" were fun too...met a bunch of people from the UK and South Africa...some Peruvian boys taught me and Meredith how to dance to "bamba" on the streets...it was so fun...I was waiting for some friends outside of a bar and ended up talking to this local girl...she was selling hats, but ended up sitting next to me and talking..she had really good English...she names all the American presidents and their accomplishments...damn she knew more about my country than I did...I was thoroughly impressed...she was smart and in school..I asked her what she aspired to be...she said a tour guide...if you are smart enough there...you go to a 5 year program to be a tour guide...i remember thinking really?? out of all the things thats what you want...but after seeing them in Aguas Calientes...they make good pay, get to travel their country to awesome places, if they are good they make some of the best connections with people all over the world...now I get it..not such a bad gig ehh?...she was really cool...but our conversation ended by her yelling bye as she ran from one of the cops following here, because apparently she was not supposed to sell things around the stores...bad business......
the train to Aguas Calientes was probably the best part...it kept getting greener...in comparison to Ayacucho...even though the elevation is significangtly higher here...it is so much more beautiful there...getting closer to Maccu Pichu everything was bright green, and the mountains were huge...it was beautiful...then when we got to Aguas Calientes...we stayed in a sweet hostal...called Gringo Bills...it was not a typical hostal, but beautiful...it was a fun town with natural hot springs...and lots of artists and markets...
We then got up at 4am to hike Maccu Piccu...the winding road up the mountain took forever, but once we got there...we hiked for a little bit and then all of a sudden you go into this path and come out into this huge city in these massive mountains...it was incredible...it was hard to grasp that I was actually looking at the view, I thought I was in Disneyland or something....we got there really early too so there were not many tourists, which were awesome, but as the day progressed more and more people came...we got a tour from a native...who had hilarious english...it was pretty comical, but learned alot...the Incas spend a 100 years building this incredbile city, but never actually got to live in it because the Spanish came and killed them...crazy...I think it is by far the most incredible sight I have ever seen...strongly reccomend it...still can't believe I was there...

That night I got really bad food poisoning from raw broccoli...unfortnatley we were traveling back on the train and in the hour and a half car ride down cobblestone roads down the mountain back to Cusco...maybe the most miserable I have ever been in my life....it was awful...now I understand to a further extent how bad the parasites really are in the water here...its frightening...don't drink the water...or anything washed in it...I am finally recovering...

Our group was dropping like flies...there are so many infections and water and food borne diseases...I think 4 out of 8 of us were pretty sick...I never thought I would be so excited to come back to home base....

Its good to be back here...yet still it is so far from anything familiar....definitley dont have any comforts of home..not even materially, but no common lifestyle with people either...the first week was a breeze....everything is so new and exciting...still exciting, but I feel myself now mentally adapting to this lifestyle and understanding the thought process of people here...its a struggle, yet hopefully refreshing at the same time...how often can you not walk outside because of angry protesters burning tires down the street?...I guess I should embrace the experience?

I woke up this morning to angry barking dogs and a bazillion roosters...I had crashed early last night so I woke up around sunrise...I went to the roof and watched the sun come up...I could only help but think how I am probably watching the same sunrise as my mom right now in Cinci...however the view could not be more different...across the roof there was a guniea pig farm to breed meat...the tin roofs are held down by large rocks to keep them from blowing off...adn even thought the mountains surround the city...its the dry season, so the dust is everywhere...again...just so different....first exposure to the developing world...its hard to describe..

I had a Spanish lesson last night, Gustavano, our teacher is great...I am picking up on it more and more...but sometime I think it comes out giberish....I went to buy notecards at the store last night...and I asked for la fichas...they looked at me like I had 4 heads...apparently my pronunciation needs some work...its pretty comical...work in progress though....I just find myself laughing at myself way too often...

I feel like i have been here so much longer than 2 weeks, just beause SO much as happened...its crazy...i feel so disconnected from everything at home...I guess its just all part of it though...

Alright off to see whats up with this strike...miss you all!

Change of Plans, Bug Bites, & Nightlife

Yesterday was frustrating....the clinic I am at is not a teaching clinic and seems to not only not do very much, but is not willing for us to help either...so after 4 hours of doing very little besides having random conversations with the spanish nurses and kids I talked to Rudy our program manager and decided to try a different clinic. I was planning on seeing a different placement today and then after switch to a different clinic that does a lot of HIV and Syphillis lab work, but after my placement today, I think I found the perfect fit...

It is a special needs school...so lots of down syndrome kids, kids with multiple genetic syndromes, ADD, some are paralyzed from brain damage at birth...so they all need help on motor skills...whether it be with writing or physically...so today I was shown by Sarah a volunteer who is leaving tomorrow the ropes...she started this program from scratch about 5 weeks ago...and Im thinking of taking over now...I work one on one and do minor physical therapy and mental excercises with these kids and then taking them to the hospital to work with a doctor...The doctor was great, my Spanish has improved just by speaking with him...he explains everything and lets me do a lot of hands on therapy with him...it was awesome...and you can actually see the progress these kids have made...they are ages 4-10. Once Sarah leaves this program will no longer be facilitated...so Im thinking about it...it will be a MAJOR learning curve, and frustrating at times with the language barrier and struggling kids...however for some reason I am really looking forward to it... lack of patience is one of my weaknesses, so maybe this will be of help with that as well....I originally wanted to do a health clinic...but its more observation and to be honest I feel like they can do the stuff we do without us, its just more for our own experience...which is cool, but I feel somewhat useless....and "volunteering" isnt really as fulfilling....so perhaps a change in plans...

We went into the Andes on a bus yesterday with other interns to see the Wari ruins..it was an hour bus ride into the mountains...we saw the battle field where Peru won their indpendence from Spain...I climbed this huge tower...the mountains were incredible from the top...really sketchy staircases though....we then went to this town called Quinea...totally self sustained...most of the people speak Quetchwa...and only leave ONCE per year to get their art supplies to make their genious pottery, painting, and buildings to sell in the markets...it was really cool...extremely authentic...its been around since the Inca's...we then went on a hike through the hills filled with cactus...the view of the mountains around us somewhat reminded me of the grand canyon...except they have no natual water anywhere!...its bizzare...they get their water out of reservoirs and lagoons the govt. had to create for them, because all of it had been extracted...five years ago they could only use running water 2 hours per day because it was so scarce...but it is still filled with parasites..meaning we cant touch it....never saw so many spiders....we saw these bugs women smash and they use the blood for lipstick color...i guess its the major ingredient in Red # 4 ....so basically all our food coloring in food and material goods...kinds nuts...it was warm so some of us wore shorts...but little did we know there were these bugs...not mosquitos...but tiny flat black bugs that but us they are like microscopic leaches.....we all look like we have chicken pox...not fun...

We went out last night to a restaraunt called Black Magic with some of the locals who work with us and then to a Peruvian disco...I have never seen people dance like that before...it was crazy, but fun...tried my first Pisco Sour...crazy peruvian drink...its actually their national drink...Pisco it a tequila like alcohol that they ferment on the coast, but the drink is really frothy..they beat egg whites and sugar into it...not a huge fan of hard alcohol, but it was not bad...I think Ill stick to cervesa for now though...
Leaving for Machi Piccu on Saturday...apparently this is the last year it is going to be opened for tourists....which is crazy...so I cant pass it up...we are staying in hostels for 5 days in Cusco and Lima....but apparently their showers are hotter than here...we have no hot water and it gets down to 30 degrees at night...no heat...we sleep with these alpacha blankets that are crazy warm.

Poncho is my favorite...he is middle aged with five kids, and knows his country in and out...he has that spark in his eyes when he does his funny Spanish laugh and has the wrinkles that tell his crazy past...he has taken us on all the treks and knows everything possible about South America...I feel like a sponge...I have realized how little I know about everything...all I want to do is absorb ....We are trying to convince him to go to Machi Piccu with us this weekend...I think he's caving...

and the people here are awesome...had some of the best conversations in a long time...and we are all SO different..but get along so well....it makes things interesting to say the least....I'm beggining to have a strong appreciation for Canadians...ok off to a lecture on cocaine...its apparently a big topic here...