More Festivals and Little Work!
Trip Start
Jun 10, 2011
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10
20
Trip End
Jul 11, 2011
Cusco, Peru
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The parade on Tuesday, in which I was supposed to wear a poncho and sombrero, didn't happen for me. I didn't have the energy, or the attire, to be in the parade. I had mentioned I also didn’t work, because I was sick. However by noon, I was able to meet up with my friend Niels (from Belgium) and watch some of the parade/celebration. It was fun at least, but he left later that evening for the airport. My English-speaking friend is now gone…
Wednesday (yesterday) was another day of work. I took some pictures of the pharmacy and activities of the day (see below). I got to see some different patients that morning, a lady with CHF and a lady with deep vascular thrombosis. It was interesting to see the drugs they were given these patients, and how those situations were handled. The lady with CHF was given a diuretic (furosemide), enalapril, and digoxin. The lady with deep vascular thrombosis was being loaded up on heparin. This experience in a hospital in another country is really beginning to be beneficial for me. The work is not that hard, and things are done differently, but I am being challenged to think. The medications often have similar names, so I am constantly thinking what this drug is or what it does in the US. I also understand more medical Spanish each day, so it makes clinical rounds easier for me. I am also thinking about how the treatment being provided to these patients are different than those patients we treat in the US.
Wednesday (yesterday) was also another celebration for the anniversary of the hospital. We had a parade (only down one street), but it was significant to honor each department of the hospital. We didn’t have to wear costumes, but each department wore their work attire—white coats for us! The Cusco and Peru anthems were sung, fireworks went off, flags were raised, and then the live music with the drums began! I have included a few pictures from this—I was put in the middle of the banner for the march.
After work, Sarah and I decided to go to the pool. She kept telling me it would be warm, because it is indoors. I really didn’t believe her, because it has been like 45 degrees here at times. So we went to the pool, and of course—freezing! The heater was not working due to maintenance, but Sarah decided she wanted to swim anyway. So, I said ok. Most people in my life know that I love the water. As a kid, I would swim in any water—no matter where or the temperature. It was cold, but I was enjoying it none the less. In very little time, Sarah decided she had enough. She was freezing and ready to come home. We had brought stuff to shower, but she said it was too cold. The showers were not heated, but I thought—gee…I am freezing now, what will be the difference? So, I showered there. It was really no different than the pool. She seems to think our shower is very hot. I disagree. You do have to turn on an electric switch to heat the water as it come out of the showerhead, but it is still cold to me. I guess I am used to otherwise. Regardless, it was fun and a rather successful day for me.
Today was Corpus Christi, generally speaking, a minor feast of the Church. "The Feast of the Body of Christ symbolizes the Eucharist and Communion, identifying the belief in the death of Christ and His resurrection." It is an important religious holiday for many Christians (Catholics). Thus, I did not work today. Sarah also didn’t have school, so it was nice to spend another day together. When we arrived in the central plaza today, there was a different feeling than most celebrations. Today was indeed a festival, with so many people—I was losing my patience with the mass number of people. However, today included many different types of religious hymns and a parade of all the saints. We watched for a while, but then we decided to hit the markets. We went to large markets, which are cheaper than stores or venders on the street. I was able to buy a few things to take home, which was fairly exciting for me. When lunch time came, we decided to do McDonald’s—Peruvian style, ha ha. It is indeed a McDonald’s, but the chicken is slightly different. The menu doesn’t have as many options as the American McDonald’s, but I thought it was fairly good. To me it didn’t seem too different, but apparently to others it is. So who knows? After this, we decided to hit a few other markets and walk around with one of Sarah’s friends. In fact, I ended up helping her with her English homework. I enjoy the small moments like that. We were basking in the sun, sitting on a stone wall, and people were staring at us and our conversation the entire time. I am glad I can be of some assistance while I am here.
Sarah and I finished our day at the supermarket. She doesn’t cook much, as I have mentioned, so I decided to buy some things for some different variations of dinner this week. I am excited to introduce here to different variations of food. I guess most of you know I love my Italian food, so it’s nice to expose her to such things. Thus far, she has loved everything I have cooked. That’s exciting!
Tomorrow is another festival. It is “Inti Raymi,” which means “Festival of the Sun.” The native residents gather to honor the Sun God, sacrifice an animal to ensure good crops and to pay homage to the Inca, as the first born Son of the Sun. It is supposed to be another enormous festival, which will include hundreds of thousands of people from all over Peru and many tourists. It is an important day for the Incas and natives here. It is the second largest festival in South America. Since this is another holiday, I also do not work tomorrow. So in total, I have worked one day this week, ha ha. I will work again on Monday. I have been waiting for tomorrow since I arrived. I hear it will be amazing, and there are supposed to be many concerts in the evening as well. I will take many pictures and update you on that soon.
I hope to hear from each of you while I am here as well.
Blessings to all,
Keshia
