Chao, hope to see you later Peru

Well friends....I am back in the USA! I am sitting on my parents couch next to my puppy dog, Hank, in Louisiana. This is my final 29 days in Peru blog post. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement throughout this journey.

I actually wrote this post last Saturday June 29 but due to a few surprises that morning I was never able to post it. As I was finishing the post the wifi went out and then Milagros surprised me!! She spent the morning with me as I finished packing and then saw me off as the taxi picked me up to take me to the airport. From Lima I flew to Nicaragua for a week and did not have wifi or internet while I was there so I am just now able to post this final blog.

I apologize for the crazy fonts...I cannot figure out how to change them.

 

Today, June 29, 2013, is my 29th day in Peru. 

In just a few hours I will take a taxi to the airport and fly from Lima, Peru to Managua, Nicaragua for a week and then back head back to the States. It is hard to believe that I have been here for 29 days. I knew the trip would fly by but it almost seems as though I blinked and the month was gone (I know, that's so cliché but it's true). Last night I had to tell my Peruvian friends and a couple of the US girls goodbye. We decided not to say goodbye. Instead we said "chao" see you later. I pray for an opportunity to visit with these incredible young woman again someday preferably sooner rather than later.

 

These woman are what made this trip meaningful and enjoyable. I am thankful for their friendship and have really enjoyed spending the month with them. My favorite part of traveling has always been making new friends. My least favorite part of traveling is saying goodbye to these friends.

This last week has been wonderful. I have spent every minute with my new Peruvian and US friends trying to make the most of our last week together in Peru. Here is a recap of the week......

Monday

Back to the crazy hospital to meet our patient for our case study. The patient my group was matched with has a severe complications related to unmanaged type II diabetes. Her right foot is nearly all the way black due to deadened nerves and the same foot has a large ulcer. The nerve damage is irriversable and the doctors have decided that the only treatment is amputation. Sadly the patient refuses the surgery even though doctors, nutritionists, and a psychologist have explained to her that if she does not have this surgery she will have to loose her entire leg and eventually her life. It is a terribly sad situation.  My group and I are heartbroken over the situation and feel helpless. I pray that she will have a change of heart and decide to have the surgery.

In the afternoon we had several interesting lectures. I am really so thankful for the opportunities I have had to listen to different experts on topics I love and enjoy dearly.

Monday night my roommates and I cooked veggies in the microwave using bowls, forks, and spoons we borrowed from the restaurant downstairs. The hotel consierge was entertained by our resourcefulness. Then I "watched" (and by watched I mean watched the ESPN play-by-play sketch when the wifi would work) the Bulldogs play UCLA in the first game of the CWS. I was sad that we lost but so proud of my Dawgs for making it so far!! Hail State!

Tuesday

Lectures in the morning and our last hospital visit in the afternoon. I have enjoyed and benifitted from the hospital visits. The hospital reminds me that as glamorous as parts of the city of Lima are I am still in a third world country. The hospital is so overcrowded and dirty and the communication is terrible. For example, the doctors ordered an xray for our patient and supposedly it was done however, neither the doctor of the patient ever received the xray. Communication from other hospitals to those in Lima is nonexistent. There is so much room for improvement. One of the major necessities is more doctors, psychologists, and nutritionists. The root of this problem is not a lack of qualified individuals but the lack of funds to pay them.

After class my roommates and I set off to Jockey Plaza to celebrate the halfway to Christmas mark! Dana (one of my roomates) is obsessed with Christmas and is so excited that we are now halfway there so we decided to celebrate by treating ourselves to Chili's. It is pretty funny that we chose Chili's since none of us really like Chili's in the states. I guess we just wanted something familiar...American/Mexican, Ha! After eating we walked around the mall for the last time. I am still so fascinated that an establishment that sells Zara, Calvin Klein, and expensive Starbucks exists in a third world country.

Wednesday

Wednesday was an incredibly fun day of class. We had a lecture on chronic child malnutrition and deceloping diets for these children. Then we joined the other half of the class to play another of Mary's games. Mary's rules were as follows: 1. "I am always right. My answers are indisputable." 2. "Never play with Brazilians because they are entirely too competitive." I am going to miss her English accent and crazy games. After the game we were divided into groups and given an assignment. The assignment was to create a recipe for a formula for a severely malnourished child. We had specific requirements to meet and had to use foods easily accessible to impoverished Peruvian mothers. This was very difficult but I feel as though I learned a great deal through this exercise. We actually had to prepare the formula and taste them. My groups recipe was 15grams of flour, 5 grams of oil, 70 grams of pumpkin, 30 grams of carrot, and 10 grams of egg. It actually turned out great!

After class I went with a few of the US girls and one of the Peruvians, Melody, to explore the district of Surco which neighbors La Molina (where our hotel and school are located). We visited an adorable little park that showcased a beatutiful arch complete with a train, lake, art mesuem, food court with food from all over the country, some ducks, gold fish, and several kissing couples. There was even a wedding party there!

Thursday

We listened to lectures during the morning and finished up our presentations in the afternoon. We got out of class early! Back to the hotel to put on a dress and freshen up for dinner in Barranco with all of the girls for our last evening all together. First Kelsey, Dana and I went into Miraflores for the last time to shop in the markets near Parque Kennedy. We enjoyed bargaining with the vendors, admiring the art, and feeling the soft baby alpaca blankets. Then we hoped in a taxi for a quick ride to Barranco. Barronco was BEAUTIFUL! Sadly I did not get to see much of it but basically it is an older, more traditional Miraflores. We had dinner at a restaurant that I cannot remember the name of. It was nestled on a cliff overlooking the coast.

In the distance you could see the lights of Miraflores twinkling along the coast. I wish I had been able to see this area during the day. Though the food was not so good (I ordered a pizza that I am certain was purchased frozen and then reheated to serve) the company was fabulous! We chatted for hours enjoying each other’s company and discussing fun times we have had this past month. It was wonderful.

Friday

We spent the morning and part of the afternoon giving our presentations. The discussion generated was great. I have truly loved learning from the professors, nutritionists, and other students. The environment at the institute is greatly encouraging and I am so thankful to have studied there. Of course Rosina and the others at the institute brought cake and other goodies to send us off in proper Peruvian fashion…with lots of galletas and postres! It was very hard to leave the institute for the last time. I pray that I would have an opportunity to return in the future. From the institute we were brought by our sweet bus driver to the Rotunda for “lunch” around 4:30pm at Roxy’s which is another Pollo a la Brasa place. It was wonderful to share a last lunch with the Peruvians. From there we went back to the hotel. Katya, Milagros, and Diana came to hangout while Dana and a few of the others packed up. Rachel taught us to play Rummy. Shortly before 7 the taxi arrived to pick up Dana, Rachel, Lyndsey, and Aimee. It was extremely hard to say good bye. Then even harder to say good bye to the Peruvians. It has been an honor getting to know them. They welcomed me into their country and helped me feel at home for the month. I am so grateful for their friendships which I am confident will last a lifetime.

Chao Peru, see you later.