Well....still in Lima...every announancement a change in plans...So far maintaining a Positive...no big deal attitude....and would really like to get home...
Mostly getting a bit bored...trying not to sleep so that can happen on the plane.
Silver lining... Have met two lovely Peruvians who know live in LA...they have had my back and watched out for me making sure I am understanding the changing plans...and have joined me for meals....one a former Dominican...self proclaimed missionary...with a great laugh and sense of humor...the other an Economist ...with 4 kids and a golden retriever...a really nice guy...Jesuit education in Peru..then Europe..
LAN has put us up in the Sheraton...so dry, clean, warm, & Wi-Fi...and two free meals so far...will see if they spring for dinner too.
We will see if this gets anymore adventuresome ....or just a 24 hour delay
Ciao
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Heading home sort of.......
Arrived at Lima airport just before 10 for a 01:30 flt...my Peruvian entourage came to send me off in style...boarded the plane...and sat for 3 hours....then another 2 while LAN got their act together...arrived at the Sheraton at 7...nice shower and breakfast on LAN ....awaiting notice of when we can fly to LAX....
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Quieter day...
Sunday September 29
Went to the parish church...then finally got my ceviche fix for lunch.
Went to the parish church...then finally got my ceviche fix for lunch.
Market...early stimulation program...visiting Jesus again....beauty in Lima
Saturday September 28???
Started the day with a trip to the neighborhood market...kinda like New Seasons...local...but not...
The women at the produce stand asked the English name of all the vegetables we bought...I in turn asked the Spanish name..was some what relieved that no meat, fish , or chicken was to be purchased, the photo will illuminate my concern...
Brigid and I went to the center where on Wednesday and Saturday there is an early stimulation program for 1-3 year olds and parent(s). Each child an mom creates a book, the kids have photos of their family, then colors, shapes words...mom's keep a journal of activities, parenting successes and challenges. The teacher models parenting techniques, plays games which encourage affection and self-esteem building. Very impressive...
Six years ago Brigid and I visited a family up the hillside not far from the center...the baby... Jesus a year old could not hold his head up nor did he fix his gaze at objects. He was the youngest an had an 11year old sister Carol. We set off to visit this family again...Brigid had not seen them for a year...
Victory (the mom) and dad were off working..but we headed up the steep flight of stairs...new... last visit we scrambled up the hillside. We were bet by a little girl who assured us we had picked the correct house. Now two boys greeted us as we called out... Giuseppe and Jesus..soon followed by Carol and Salvador. Jesus has some learning disabilities but is now walking, talking some and engaged in activities...goes to school. Carol just found out she passed her exams and was awarded a scholarship to university...hope abounds!!!
In the evening we took a LONG trek by bus across Lima to a water fountain park. For 4 Sols ($1.20) we gained entrance to a city park with 13 different water fountains. At 7:15 a water/light/music show began...in the midst of a city where poverty, filth, and despair is in abundance ...this was a hopeful encouraging sign. In the park there was also a tunel with facts about water in Peru and on our planet...or the lack of...and the effects of global warming and over consumption..
We were met by four young folks who are associates to the SNJM's. bright engaging young people who also spoke some English giving me a break from Spanglish.
We went to dinner at 10:30 PM...OMG very late for Sandy...very Peruvian ...another full day.
Peruvian New Seasons no?
Started the day with a trip to the neighborhood market...kinda like New Seasons...local...but not...
The women at the produce stand asked the English name of all the vegetables we bought...I in turn asked the Spanish name..was some what relieved that no meat, fish , or chicken was to be purchased, the photo will illuminate my concern...
Brigid and I went to the center where on Wednesday and Saturday there is an early stimulation program for 1-3 year olds and parent(s). Each child an mom creates a book, the kids have photos of their family, then colors, shapes words...mom's keep a journal of activities, parenting successes and challenges. The teacher models parenting techniques, plays games which encourage affection and self-esteem building. Very impressive...
Six years ago Brigid and I visited a family up the hillside not far from the center...the baby... Jesus a year old could not hold his head up nor did he fix his gaze at objects. He was the youngest an had an 11year old sister Carol. We set off to visit this family again...Brigid had not seen them for a year...
Victory (the mom) and dad were off working..but we headed up the steep flight of stairs...new... last visit we scrambled up the hillside. We were bet by a little girl who assured us we had picked the correct house. Now two boys greeted us as we called out... Giuseppe and Jesus..soon followed by Carol and Salvador. Jesus has some learning disabilities but is now walking, talking some and engaged in activities...goes to school. Carol just found out she passed her exams and was awarded a scholarship to university...hope abounds!!!
In the evening we took a LONG trek by bus across Lima to a water fountain park. For 4 Sols ($1.20) we gained entrance to a city park with 13 different water fountains. At 7:15 a water/light/music show began...in the midst of a city where poverty, filth, and despair is in abundance ...this was a hopeful encouraging sign. In the park there was also a tunel with facts about water in Peru and on our planet...or the lack of...and the effects of global warming and over consumption..
We were met by four young folks who are associates to the SNJM's. bright engaging young people who also spoke some English giving me a break from Spanglish.
We went to dinner at 10:30 PM...OMG very late for Sandy...very Peruvian ...another full day.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
National Strike...24 hours...Lima...ciudades invasión
Friday, September 27
So yesterday we headed back to Cusco a day early due to the national strike...our 6 1/2 hour bus ride through the night was uneventful. We then headed by taxi back to the Sacred Valley by taxi...about 20 minutes outside of Cusco our cab came to an abrupt halt...strikers were throwing huge boulders onto the road to disrupt travel...bus drivers and taxi drivers were throwing them off to the side to pass through...much loud angry yelling ... Our taxi had 8 occupants we went high and dry on a boulder and had to get out and push/lift to get threw...
I thought getting to the airport this morning might be more of the same..but it was an uneventful trip back to Cusco. I arrived in Lima at was met by Brigid at the airport...then we traveled for about an hour to her house...in San Juan Lurigauncha ( sp ?). It just over 1 1/2 million the poorest district. It is my 3 time staying with her in Lima...but I again am startled by the poverty. The people of the Andes are equally poor, but they live in a beautiful setting...urban poverty seems so much more oppressive. We had lunch with the other SNJM's plus a young volunteer Erin from the states.
Then we bused to the center where her projects are. Women learn how to sew and create cottage industries to create income and develop better self esteem in the morning..in the afternoon it transforms into an after school program ...but we we went to yet another after school project, just end started by Lordes. So many young families come to Lima... "ciudades invasión" where they find a plot of land and " squat" starting with straw, then plastic...as they find enough bricks they construct walls. Theses structures and families now climb up the hills of Lima. The new families are higher up the mountain. So we took a colectivo to the end of the road and then climbed up the hill to a wooden shack, dirt floor with no electricity...the community donated the building, and found some old beat up desks...some donated school supplies and some puzzles. We barely opened the door and moved the desks around...when we were surounded by about 15 kids. David had a word search homework..my guess is that he was 7-8...he barely knew his letters ...so finding words was a challenge ...what life will these children have..they start way behind the eight ball..their families are here to have a better life......but eagerly they come..this project is only a few months old. Already three of the older kids are learning to help the younger ones...that may be the greatest accomplishment ...community and leadership development.
We packed up the room and headed down the very steep dirt road before dark..greeted all the way by smiling kids and families...this afternoon will burn into my heart and soul
So yesterday we headed back to Cusco a day early due to the national strike...our 6 1/2 hour bus ride through the night was uneventful. We then headed by taxi back to the Sacred Valley by taxi...about 20 minutes outside of Cusco our cab came to an abrupt halt...strikers were throwing huge boulders onto the road to disrupt travel...bus drivers and taxi drivers were throwing them off to the side to pass through...much loud angry yelling ... Our taxi had 8 occupants we went high and dry on a boulder and had to get out and push/lift to get threw...
I thought getting to the airport this morning might be more of the same..but it was an uneventful trip back to Cusco. I arrived in Lima at was met by Brigid at the airport...then we traveled for about an hour to her house...in San Juan Lurigauncha ( sp ?). It just over 1 1/2 million the poorest district. It is my 3 time staying with her in Lima...but I again am startled by the poverty. The people of the Andes are equally poor, but they live in a beautiful setting...urban poverty seems so much more oppressive. We had lunch with the other SNJM's plus a young volunteer Erin from the states.
Then we bused to the center where her projects are. Women learn how to sew and create cottage industries to create income and develop better self esteem in the morning..in the afternoon it transforms into an after school program ...but we we went to yet another after school project, just end started by Lordes. So many young families come to Lima... "ciudades invasión" where they find a plot of land and " squat" starting with straw, then plastic...as they find enough bricks they construct walls. Theses structures and families now climb up the hills of Lima. The new families are higher up the mountain. So we took a colectivo to the end of the road and then climbed up the hill to a wooden shack, dirt floor with no electricity...the community donated the building, and found some old beat up desks...some donated school supplies and some puzzles. We barely opened the door and moved the desks around...when we were surounded by about 15 kids. David had a word search homework..my guess is that he was 7-8...he barely knew his letters ...so finding words was a challenge ...what life will these children have..they start way behind the eight ball..their families are here to have a better life......but eagerly they come..this project is only a few months old. Already three of the older kids are learning to help the younger ones...that may be the greatest accomplishment ...community and leadership development.
We packed up the room and headed down the very steep dirt road before dark..greeted all the way by smiling kids and families...this afternoon will burn into my heart and soul
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Taquile Island...and more about Lake Titicaca
Wednesday part 2
For more info you can google ...
But think big...the lake is 2,640 feet across at it's most narrow point...400 some feet at it's most deep parts....much of the lake is shallow.
The Island of Taquile has six sectors, but one main plaza, at about 14,600 feet and I think the lake is about 13,000 feet here...
So starts my second suck air adventure...the guide said oh this is muy facile...very easy...NOT...I started out rather robustly...then prayed each switch back was the last one...I don't think I have ever been so SOB (short of breath) in my life...this is an easy hike in the gorge...but not at this elevation...but worth every gasp...the view was incredible. You could see the snow capped mountains of Bolivia.
The main source of income besides tourism is textiles...and mostly knitting by the men...the men do the fine gauge knitting and the women do a coarser grade. Boys learn to knit at about 8. Also their attire is quite unique. The men wearing bolero type vests varying according to wether they are single or married...both the men and women wear very bright hats and belts if single.
For more info you can google ...
But think big...the lake is 2,640 feet across at it's most narrow point...400 some feet at it's most deep parts....much of the lake is shallow.
The Island of Taquile has six sectors, but one main plaza, at about 14,600 feet and I think the lake is about 13,000 feet here...
So starts my second suck air adventure...the guide said oh this is muy facile...very easy...NOT...I started out rather robustly...then prayed each switch back was the last one...I don't think I have ever been so SOB (short of breath) in my life...this is an easy hike in the gorge...but not at this elevation...but worth every gasp...the view was incredible. You could see the snow capped mountains of Bolivia.
The main source of income besides tourism is textiles...and mostly knitting by the men...the men do the fine gauge knitting and the women do a coarser grade. Boys learn to knit at about 8. Also their attire is quite unique. The men wearing bolero type vests varying according to wether they are single or married...both the men and women wear very bright hats and belts if single.
The floating Islands
Wednesday September 25
Up at 5:30 and off to the boat to tour the Floating Islands
The only way to enter the Floating Islands is by commercial tour. These Islands are built first by cutting the root base of reeds about 1 meter deep 4 blocks with a stake driven in each block then tied together with reeds or rope if they can barter for stakes and rope. Then one meter more of layers of reeds. Then they add on to the island by 4 block segments. They continually need to refresh the top layer of reeds because they compost... Then there are 12 rocks that anchor the island. There are approximately 80 floating islands with 4000 people living on them.
Up at 5:30 and off to the boat to tour the Floating Islands
The only way to enter the Floating Islands is by commercial tour. These Islands are built first by cutting the root base of reeds about 1 meter deep 4 blocks with a stake driven in each block then tied together with reeds or rope if they can barter for stakes and rope. Then one meter more of layers of reeds. Then they add on to the island by 4 block segments. They continually need to refresh the top layer of reeds because they compost... Then there are 12 rocks that anchor the island. There are approximately 80 floating islands with 4000 people living on them.
To Lago Titicaca and beyond
Tuesday September 24
Goodbyes to the Gonzales family even Joaquin got up at 5 am to give me a hug goodbye..
Mery Paz and I hopped in a taxi to Cusco to the bus terminal and off we set for Puno...I am not a big fan of tours...but this was a safe comfortable way to get across the Andes. This trip was in part my treat to celebrate Mery's completion of university and becoming an RN. We stopped at three ruins, San Pedro church likened to. American Cistine chapel ( no photo's allowed :-( ), and at a city in the Ande's for lunch...plus we stopped at the top of the pass at 14,800 foot elevation...that is the highest for me...very cold and windy...but beautiful breath taking in more than one way
Goodbyes to the Gonzales family even Joaquin got up at 5 am to give me a hug goodbye..
Mery Paz and I hopped in a taxi to Cusco to the bus terminal and off we set for Puno...I am not a big fan of tours...but this was a safe comfortable way to get across the Andes. This trip was in part my treat to celebrate Mery's completion of university and becoming an RN. We stopped at three ruins, San Pedro church likened to. American Cistine chapel ( no photo's allowed :-( ), and at a city in the Ande's for lunch...plus we stopped at the top of the pass at 14,800 foot elevation...that is the highest for me...very cold and windy...but beautiful breath taking in more than one way
I live for days like this part 2
So we did the trip in reverse...stopping in Pisac again to buy supplies, apples and bread.. This time we headed up the valley to the town of Lamay...this was just the starting point...we jumped in a colectivo with 6 others and up the mountain we drove...fast...on dirt road with many switchbacks...to the town of Human...pronounced waaman...starting point #2 in the plaza the boys were playing soccer...like running full blast...oh did I not mention we are at about 14,000 feet elevation and about to walk another mile up to 14,600 or more....NOW picture Sandy sucking air big time !!!!..made Dog Mt seem like a piece of cake...each turn I hoped for it to level off but not soon enough.
Well we arrived at the home of Mary Luz's patient only to find that Manuel had been taken to the Hospital the day before. Manuel has a huge tumor on the right side of his face which has grown so large he can not open his eye, and now is having trouble swallowing and had not eaten for days. But Mary's care goes way beyond the patient and we stayed and visited and of course they fed us lunch and tea..I was a bit nervous eating since this was a typical Andean home...dirt floor...shared by Qui who were eating and peeing on the floor...that is what Cipro is for right? Food given from what little they have...so humbling...this is why it is difficult at times to re-enter our culture...so many complain and feel so untitled yet these folks who have barely enough food and shelter to survive give freely AND express joy and hope...this helps merry to live appreciating abundance of my life.
Well we arrived at the home of Mary Luz's patient only to find that Manuel had been taken to the Hospital the day before. Manuel has a huge tumor on the right side of his face which has grown so large he can not open his eye, and now is having trouble swallowing and had not eaten for days. But Mary's care goes way beyond the patient and we stayed and visited and of course they fed us lunch and tea..I was a bit nervous eating since this was a typical Andean home...dirt floor...shared by Qui who were eating and peeing on the floor...that is what Cipro is for right? Food given from what little they have...so humbling...this is why it is difficult at times to re-enter our culture...so many complain and feel so untitled yet these folks who have barely enough food and shelter to survive give freely AND express joy and hope...this helps merry to live appreciating abundance of my life.
Now for the slippery trek down...I made it without hitting it...Mary Luz did not probably be caused she was so concerned about me.. We hike down past the plaza to the school which was out but the teachers had not left yet so we hitched a ride with them ...oh but I guess they were not quite ready to go which pissed the Taxi driver off...remember the switch back dirt road...he was flying the teachers were yelling at him to slow down...I seriously thought I might die at the bottom of this mountain road..I prayed OK mom I'm cashing in any good deed...just to make it to the bottom of this road alive...not my time yet...but I really don't want to challenge that concept too much.....
I live for days like this...part 1
Monday Sept 23
Mary Luz is a nurse at the clinic, but she took over Edy's job as a hospice nurse. Mary Luz studied to become a nurse, but never completed her studies...but trust me she delivers care and much more.
We took a taxi from Calca to Pisac and stopped at a Boteca for supplies and a market for apples and pan for the families of her patient. We walked across the one lane ridge ...on my last visit to Peru this bridge was wash away by the river..the permanent one I'd still under construction ...4 years later...this helps put info-structure...in perspective . We then flagged down a Moto taxi...picture a three wheeled motor cycle with a plastic enclosure...putt putt putt...inhale lots of fumes...up to the village of Taray. We hopped out at the plaza de armas...and wandered down a few alleys until we reached the home of Mary Luz first patient. We ended the yard where there were cats, chickens running about..washing on a line an out door sink and bathroom. We enter a room one half dinning room one half bedroom.
The patient was diagnosed with breast cancer at a very late stage. Soon after the cancer metastasized to her spine. She developed a complete fracture of spine leaving her paralyzed from the waste down. She also had a very swollen abdomen which was very painful when she was turned...so the family was hesitant to turn her and no surprise...but she had developed two huge decubitus...thus this was the cause for most of our visit to clean & redress her wounds...and try to encourage the family to be liberal with pain medicine so she could tolerate turning...needless to say I did not make it through the visit without crying. It was a privilege to hold and be with this family, and to watch the compassion of Mary Luz she cares for the whole family. I can only hope and pray that this family does not suffer for long
Mary Luz is a nurse at the clinic, but she took over Edy's job as a hospice nurse. Mary Luz studied to become a nurse, but never completed her studies...but trust me she delivers care and much more.
We took a taxi from Calca to Pisac and stopped at a Boteca for supplies and a market for apples and pan for the families of her patient. We walked across the one lane ridge ...on my last visit to Peru this bridge was wash away by the river..the permanent one I'd still under construction ...4 years later...this helps put info-structure...in perspective . We then flagged down a Moto taxi...picture a three wheeled motor cycle with a plastic enclosure...putt putt putt...inhale lots of fumes...up to the village of Taray. We hopped out at the plaza de armas...and wandered down a few alleys until we reached the home of Mary Luz first patient. We ended the yard where there were cats, chickens running about..washing on a line an out door sink and bathroom. We enter a room one half dinning room one half bedroom.
The patient was diagnosed with breast cancer at a very late stage. Soon after the cancer metastasized to her spine. She developed a complete fracture of spine leaving her paralyzed from the waste down. She also had a very swollen abdomen which was very painful when she was turned...so the family was hesitant to turn her and no surprise...but she had developed two huge decubitus...thus this was the cause for most of our visit to clean & redress her wounds...and try to encourage the family to be liberal with pain medicine so she could tolerate turning...needless to say I did not make it through the visit without crying. It was a privilege to hold and be with this family, and to watch the compassion of Mary Luz she cares for the whole family. I can only hope and pray that this family does not suffer for long
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