It's another absolutely beautiful day here in Uruamba. It is terribly cold in the mornings and nights, but the sun is so strong and hot during the day - it's like experiencing two seasons in one day.
Today after being told our whole plan for a week with the health project, we discovered shortly afterwords that none of it would be possible. This was because the follow-up visits that we had planned were cotingent on all of the records that we had on the diagnosis and corresponding treatments of people visited in the past few months; and these files were "accidently" deleted from the computer. VERY disappointing. so, we started creating a new database working form handwritten materials and medical documents that just so happen to be in no particular order at all. Lots of organizing.
Monday, July 30, 2007
July 24/07
Today was a plesant and full day. In the morning, the health project prepared medicine to send to the people of a jungle community where medical test, the results, and treatments had been determined.
In the afternoon, I studied Spanish in a splash of sunlight in my family's court yard before going to class - my class was great. I think I had a mini break through with my spanish, as I was able to remember quite a few words that I had previously studied, and I was able to make use of some simple gramatical rules.
As Lindsay, Rudy, two other girls and I walked from class to Pizza Wasi for our group dinner, something worth recording happended. A motor taxi (which can normally only hold a max of about 3 people) passed by us carrying a family of about 6-7. Due to the excess weight of so many people, the motor taxi started to decend down the hill it was on, so we decided to push it up the hill so that it could function independently. One of the woman in the family got out and started to pusing, too, and had to make the rest of the way to her destination by foot, as the taxi continued on without her.
We had to wait forever for dinner at Pizza Wasi, and I wasn't feeling well while waiting or after I ate my meal. I did however, go to the Green House afterwards and my stomach was a bit more manageable. I stayed out pretty late listening and speaking in a combination of English. One of our Spanish teachers who came out with us had some interesting stories to tell us.
In the afternoon, I studied Spanish in a splash of sunlight in my family's court yard before going to class - my class was great. I think I had a mini break through with my spanish, as I was able to remember quite a few words that I had previously studied, and I was able to make use of some simple gramatical rules.
As Lindsay, Rudy, two other girls and I walked from class to Pizza Wasi for our group dinner, something worth recording happended. A motor taxi (which can normally only hold a max of about 3 people) passed by us carrying a family of about 6-7. Due to the excess weight of so many people, the motor taxi started to decend down the hill it was on, so we decided to push it up the hill so that it could function independently. One of the woman in the family got out and started to pusing, too, and had to make the rest of the way to her destination by foot, as the taxi continued on without her.
We had to wait forever for dinner at Pizza Wasi, and I wasn't feeling well while waiting or after I ate my meal. I did however, go to the Green House afterwards and my stomach was a bit more manageable. I stayed out pretty late listening and speaking in a combination of English. One of our Spanish teachers who came out with us had some interesting stories to tell us.
July 23/07 Hablo espanol solo un poco
I got pretty sick last night and I haven't been feeling good for the past few days. I did however, go to the Green house - a gringo resturant and bar here in Urubamba. I met a few new people there and enjoyed good company and hot chocolate! I also had my first ral conversation with my host dad. I found out that he actually has five kids and not just the two that I thought. So we talked about his kids, school, Canada and places we have been. It was quite satisfying to speak to a peruvian in Spanish - no matter how small a conversation it was.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
July 22, 07
We had another great day out at the isac markets and ruins. We had another mountain to climb which was quite a thrill, and I got to walk through my first cave ever. It´s amazing to think about how these ancient Incan Cities and fortresses were built, whith the special consideration that the wheel was not yet known to man. It no doubt took the cooperation of thousands, with the lost of many lives.
In the Pisac market, I was able to buy some small gifts as well as some jewelry parts which was really hard to find.
In the Pisac market, I was able to buy some small gifts as well as some jewelry parts which was really hard to find.
July 21,07
Today we went to Ollantaytambo with our wonderful guide Daisy who told us so much about the Inca city ruins.Terraces were built at the foothills, as well as in front of the city for farming and eremonial purposes. At the time of the Icas, the city was home to 3000, and today many people live in the very same homes built by the Incas. Ollantaytambo was primarily an administrative center, and held possilbe the worlds first global aboriginal meeting.
We also went to Sacsayhuaman (sounds like sexy woman)which was also quite extrodinary. I also learned from our guide that the christ de blanco that overlooks the city of Cusco was a gift from Palistinian Immigrants who lived there about a decade ago as a measure of their appreciation and thanks for being welcomed.
We also went to Sacsayhuaman (sounds like sexy woman)which was also quite extrodinary. I also learned from our guide that the christ de blanco that overlooks the city of Cusco was a gift from Palistinian Immigrants who lived there about a decade ago as a measure of their appreciation and thanks for being welcomed.
July 21, 07 First Charla
Yesterday, I observed my first charla in Accha Alta, a small mountain community just outside of Calca. Because it was an unplanned trip and my spanish is terrible, all I really did was hold up posters and play with kids. All of us volunters fell in love with this one particular baby named Lydia. She was adorable. Strangely enough as I was holding a poster up during the presentation, a dog peed on my leg, and I picked up a child who´d made a pee puddle near the weight scale!
Friday, July 20, 2007
July 18,07
Today was our last day working at Casa de Materna for the next few weeks or so. I was shown by Lilly how to make adobe paste (which is just a mixture of mud and grass). We used this to mould a mirror on the outside wall of the house. We also did more planting and cleaning up. Before I left, I got a yellow fever shot at the Calca Central Hospital, as we will be going into the jungle to carry out the health testing and education project. Yellow fever is a free vaccination here. It is, however, just about the only thing that I would have done medically at that hospital, considering the lack of sanitation.
The washrooms don´t have toilet paper, and there is no soap for handwashing. I have heard from another volunteer that the nurses themselves don´t always have access to soap for handwashing, which is so important for preventing secondary infections and illnesses in patients. At this particular hospital, the infant mortality rate as well as the mortality of woman while giving birth is very high.
On the way home, I rode to Urubamba in my first combie. They are white vans that follow the same route as the buses, carrying you from town to town, but will fit anywhere from 12-20 people! Getting off at your stop requires speed and a pointed shove or two, calling bajamos!
The washrooms don´t have toilet paper, and there is no soap for handwashing. I have heard from another volunteer that the nurses themselves don´t always have access to soap for handwashing, which is so important for preventing secondary infections and illnesses in patients. At this particular hospital, the infant mortality rate as well as the mortality of woman while giving birth is very high.
On the way home, I rode to Urubamba in my first combie. They are white vans that follow the same route as the buses, carrying you from town to town, but will fit anywhere from 12-20 people! Getting off at your stop requires speed and a pointed shove or two, calling bajamos!
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