My last night in Cusco

Today i treated myself with a massage, i got an incamassage, a combination of therapymassage and stonemassage. It took over a hour and it only cost 175 SEK/ 3000 ISK. I dont know where i could find that price at home?
Tonight i am going to a nice restaurant called Fallen angel, some of the tables are bathtubs filled with fishes and of course a glass so you can watch the fishes while you enjoy your dinner. After dinner the plan is to go to a openingparty at Wild Rover hostel here in Cusco, a group of Irish guys just opened a hostel here, they have one in La Paz, Bolivia, from what i have heard its a very popular hostel.

Tomorrow at 15:05 i leave Cusco for Lima, at 20:10 i leave Lima for Madrid. On sunday i will arrive to Madrid and spend a day there if it is possible to land, i just read in the news that many airports in europe are closed because of the snow. If all goes well i leave Madrid on monday for Copenhagen and should be home in Karlskrona somewhere around 20-21, all depending on SJ´s ability to take me home.

I will miss Cusco and my friends here, but i look forward to meet all my wonderful friends in Karlskrona aswell.

Hasta luego

PARAGLIDING.....

Tried to go paragliding today but the weather was not on my side. We left Cusco at 9 in the morning and drove to Chincheros for the take off site. We were just 2 people, me and Colin from Ireland. The pilot desided that Colin would go first, but we had to wait for a better conditions. So we sat down and waited and waited some more. At 11:45 Colin and Edgar took off and glided through the air. When they came back the wind had settled a little so we have to wait a little more for my turn. I dont know if it was a hint from my mum (she was not all too happy about me paragliding) or maybe it was Caroline it started to rain, and then it rained some more. Eventually it stopped raining and what happened then, you guessed right there was no more wind, how is that possible on a mountain? So no paragliding for me. I have looked at the weatherforecast for the next 2 days and well its going to rain so I will just have to try paragliding some other time.

Instead I am going to drive a ATV-motorbike tomorrow in the morning, For those of you who worry at least I will be on the ground;-)

Hasta luego

My last days

Spending my last days just relaxing and enjoying myself. Went shopping yesterday, stopped by the cocashop next to my house and guess what, all products made from the cocaleave i can bring home with me, its just the actual cocaleave i cant bring home with me. Like they say in the Coca shop Coca Si, Cocaina No!!! They have got a point dont they.

Wondering if i should treat myself with a massage, manicure and pedicure before i go home.

La ultima semana

Yesterday was my last day of both work and spanish. Its strange how fast time has gone.
I have been comparing the system here and at home. Like if you need antibiotics injection at home, well you usually lie in the hospital for a few days and all medicine are provided. Here if the doctor thinks you should get antibiotics for 7 days, well you buy the antibiotics, sterile water to prepare it, syringes and needles. This the patients bring with them for 7 days, and pay 1 sol everytime for the application. Maybe this is how we could fix the finances for the hospital at home?
I was wrong about the peadiatrics, the do have prizes for the kids, they just didnt have any now.
Here malnutrition and anemia are a huge problem with kids. In Cucso alone about 50% of the kids suffer from malnutrition or/and anemia. Yesterday a women came in with her 2 boys for check up, and the older one (about 3 years old) didnt even have underwear, it really breaks my heart to see that side of poverty.

My last week has begun, now i am just going to relax, do what i feel like. Maybe do a little shopping and who knows what adventure lies around the corner.

Peadiatrics

Went to work today for the first time this week, the foodpoisoning got the best of me. I am better now, have been eating antibiotics since tuesday. Yesterday was a catholic church holiday so i got the day off and went horsebackriding instead. It was so great 4 hours climbing the Andes and all i had to do was keep myself on the horse and enjoy the ride.

Today i started in peadiatrics. Its like a reception, we measure height, weight and do all controls needed like the size of the head, coordination, do they know the colors, balance etc. and the pore things get their vaccination as well. Saw a 9 days old girl today, the pore thing was wrapped in 3 woolblankets, no homeservice here, like i know is in Iceland, dont know how it is in Sweden though. Here the mothers come for the first control with their babies 2 days after discharge from the hospital, then 7 days after birth, 15 days after birth and then 1 month control etc. I took a pic of their schedule and will put it on facebook later.
I almost felt ashamed of all the things we have att home. Like when kids come to the OR in Karlskrona we give them diplomas and stickers and if they are really sad they get a teddybear (is the same for the ER and ambulance). Today a 4 year old was getting his vaccination and of course he was sad after the injection, i mean who isnt. And its just jaja the pain will go away. No prize for being a good boy. It broke my heart.

Tomorrow is my last day of work and spanishclass. Next week i am planning of having a good time, maybe try some adventures. Still havnt tried paragliding so who knows what next week brings.

Foodpoisoning is no fun...

Got foodpoisoning on saturday, was no fun i can tell you. Was planning on going out to party but was feeling strange so i decided to stay at home instead. Good thing i did, att 1 am my body did not want to keep that food inside anymore. The rest of the night i spent in the bathroom. Sunday i slept, watched a little tv, slept some more and thats how i spent my day, just lying in bed. Trying to drink and eat a little, witch didnt go so well. Today i was feeling weak and dizzy when i woke up so i didnt go to work, i have fever but thats nothing a little paracetamol cant fix. So now i am going to my spanish class, with extra paracetamol in my pocket.

Wednesday is a catholichreligious holiday here so i dont have to work, if i am well enough i am thinking about going to the sacred valley and try paragliding. It is tandem, and everybody says its safe, i hope it is....

Trouble with the law?

The last 3 days a cop has been my patient at the clinic. The first day he was in civil clothes so i didnt know he was a cop. Day 2 he comes in uniform and with his huge german shepard. The dog stood in the doorway and watched as i gave injection to his master. I wondered if the dog would attack me if i didnt do a good job. Today he came with a collegue, d0 you think i would have been arrested if i didnt do a good job? Now he has finished his treatment so the pressure is off =)

I am hoping that next week i can see something else than just topico at the clinic. I will know tomorrow if i can be in peadiatrics next week. Even if it is just for a day or two its fun to see something else.

Solving problems anyone!

This morning when i was in the taxi on my way to work one small taxi (size austin mini) had broken down a little further up the street and was blocking the road. Well not so good when everybody is on their way to work so what happened? Five or six men jumped out of the cars infront of my taxi and lifted the small taxi out of the way so the other cars could drive round it. Thats what i call solving problems:-)

There are so many illegal taxis here, many who charge gringo/a price to tourist. On my way home from work the police was doing a raid among taxidrivers to see if the had all papers in order. Of course my taxi was stopped and luckily for me he had all papers in order so we could continue. I wonder what would have happened if he hadnt, would i have to get out there in the middle of the street and wait for a new taxi, i hope i dont have to find out.

Started my third week at the Clinic today, where did the time go, i have allready worked there for 2 weeks. Soon i will be home in the snow.

Went to a local foodmarket today, called gastronomica, only Peruvian food. Lots of stands where locals cook and sell their food. I was the only tourist, dont know why, to me this is a wonderful tourist attraction, well at least for foodlovers. The guinea pig is a local delicassy, i havnt tried it, but who knows!!

I had chicken and rice and it was so good. My company had baby goat with mash and rice and well it was nice, actually quite good.

If i get sick from eating there, well it was totally worth it, the food was so good and it was a fun experience.

Check out who was waiting for taxi with me at lunch when i was going home from work. Its not a common sight in Cusco but in poorer neighbourhoods you might see a pig or 2 on the street eating garbage. I was just happy to have my camera with me.

Weekend.....

Via ferrata and Zip-line

I survived the rock-climbing and zip-line. I will put in some pics later, the guide had the camera so i am waiting to get the pics from the trip, should be any day now.
The rock-climbing was kind of like climbing upp a ladder exept the ladder was on a rock. I am afraid of hights so when i was vertical and had to both climb up and to the side at the same time it was almost to much. I cleanched to the ladder before i continued. After the rock-climbing it was time for the Zip-line that is flying on a cable down the rock again. That was so much fun, but scary as well. Taking that step over the edge and putting all your trust on the equipment. There were 4 ziplines from 100-500 m long. If you come to Cusco i can recommend it. Good and scary fun.

I didnt have to work today, the Clinics were on a strike, why i dont know i was just happy that i could sleep in the morning.

Tomorrow i got the day off work and i am going rock climbing. Check it out here, there is a video. Looks amazing right? Little scary, but i promise to take pictures.

Work is fine. Even though i have a trouble understanding everything i try and well just smile and try to help out as much as i can. Injections, washing instruments, drying instruments, packaging intstuments, folding gauges i know so time goes by at work.

Spanish is going well, the teacher always says correcto or muy bien, positive reenforcement like Pavlows dogs?

Maybe but it works;-)

You all know how important it is with communications? Here the drivers communicate with their horns. Almost all corners are blind here so that everytime the taxi gets close to a corner the driver honks the horn to let other drivers and those who are walking know that he is coming. The even honk when they think you are in the way, when they see you and want to offer you a ride.

The police here is very visible, they stand infront of the banks and allover the streets. They even control traffic, even when there are traffic lights. The stop the traffic to let us who want to cross the street over, but only on zebra lines. Last week new law started in Peru, you cant jaywalk. if the police catches you crossing the street where its not safe you get a fine. I dont know how many polices i have seen writing tickets.

Well of to my spanish lesson

The first week of work and spanish is done. It is getting and going better for each day. At least now i can answear some easy questions. Today we had basic conversation in spanish in class and well it went ok, i even got a muy bien for my homework on describing my family=)

I really like Cusco. Its small narrow oneway streets, all the old buildings and all the history that lies here. One of the best thing about volenteer working like i am doing is that you see a whole new side of the city you wouldnt see as a normal tourist. I know i dont think i would have gone into the poorer community as a tourist. The area where my clinic is, is a poor area. Thats another thing i like about peruvians, they may not have much but they are happy. Maybe we have something to learn from them?

I live in a neighbourhood called San Blas, its one of the oldest parts of Cusco, it has a lot of art and souviners.
Check out these webcams, the number 2 is the street i walk up and down everyday. If you are lucky you might see me.

Today Cathy from Maximo Nivel came and she could explain a lot better than me about my skills, so i have been quite busy today, giving injections both intra muscular and intra venously and assisting with wound care. Today we even got an acute patient who needed to go to the hospital.
The Clinic has emergency where the patients come after they see the doctor to get their injections or for wound care, even in the emergency comes patients from the street who need acute care. Fractures and bigger problems go directly to the hospital. It even has obstetrics and ultrasound, taking care of expecting mothers. Pediatrics, general medicin and a lab. Its very interesting to see how everything works.
I am struggeling with the language but i am determened to become exelente in spanish.

I bought a membership for a local gym yesterday and let me tell you that working out at this hight is not as easy as at home. After 5 minutes on the crosstrainer my pulse was up to 200 so i just hit the machines and weights instead. I was so tired last night i think i passed out around 10.

First day of work today.
Language barrier..... YES
The job done differently..... YES

My scrubnurse collegues in Karlskrona would have a fit if they seen how work is done here.
I put my scrubs on at home, take the bus or taxi to work. I was prepared that it would be different but wow. I was in Topico today wich is emergency. I havnt figuerd the system out yet but the patients came to us with prescribed things to do and the medicine they were supposed to get. Lot of injections, all given intra muscular in gluteus maximus, didnt matter what it was, antibiotics or diazepam, it all went to the butt. Patients also came in for woundcare. It looks like they come in every day to get their injections because they said goodbye with hasta mañana, witch means see you tomorrow.
The instrument used were then washed in the sink (just like when you do your dishes), dried and put back into their steelbox, and than into what looked like a heat cabinet. Not so sterile?
I was helping out with cutting gauge first into 10x10 cm squares and than every square had to be folded in a special way to like 3x4 cm and that will be packed and used for wound care.

Is fun seeing how things work here, i think i will be in topico all week wich will be great. I cant wait until i speak a little spanish and can be of more help and understand the patients and staff. We tried talking today but is not so easy, is a little frustrating when you really want to do something but you cant say what you want.
Just got to be active in spanishclass and study hard at home.

Just came back from my orientation at Maximo Nivel, the organisation i will do my volonteer work with. I will start tomorrow at Centro De Salud Independencia at 8 in the morning. What i will do there, well i will find out tomorrow but according to the information i have gotten it will be assisting in taking medcial history, draw blood, give vaccinations etc. I let you know when i know more.
I will start my spanish class today at 2 o'clock 2 hours a day monday-friday.

Went to a local footballmatch yesterday. Big game for the Cusco team, they had to win to stay in the division. The match ended 0-0 so the team fell down to 2nd divison. The fans were not happy, and the referee missed a penalty for the Cusco team so after the game when the referees were leaving the field angry fans threw bottles and stuff att them. Well they got shielded police escort out of the field. I guess it is like that in countrys were football is like religon.
But it was a whole lot of fun, i sat quite far away from the real hulligans, they were blowing up smokebombs, jumping around, playing drums. Well its fasinating to watch from a safe distance.

hugs and kisses

Went partying yesterday with my new friends.
Crazy. crazy party. You have heard about happy hour but have you heard about happy minutes? The DJ played a good song, 3 bartenders jumped up on the bar each with a bottle and just pointed at people to come and then they pore alcohol into you mouth, free shots..... i have never seen a bartender do that either in Sweden or Iceland.
I went home at 4:30 and the party was still going strong.

Cusco is a beautiful city, small narrow streets with old buildings.
So far i like everything very much.

Slept for 10 hours so my head is a bit clearer now, and so is the sky. The sun is shining in my honor of course.
My 30 hour trip was ok, the 4:30 hour wait in Madrid went by fairly quickly with my new book, the flight Madrid-Lima 11:30 hour was ok too. The tv wasnt working so all i could do was try to sleep. When i had been dosing off for like an hour, the airhostess shouted on the intercom that they had a medical emergency is there a doctor or a nurse on board. Well normally i just sink down i my seat and look the other way but this time the patient was sitting in the next row. So i told her that im a nurse. But since my german is limited to my name is Anna and im a nurse, the airhostess waited for the doctor who had risen from his seat. She obviously doesnt know a skilled nurse when she sees one ;-) so i just turned the other way and tried to go back to sleep. The patient was ok btw, he walked off the plane in Lima.
In Lima the stress began, i had to go trough immigrations, did not take to long so was ok, wait for my bag, to check it in on the plane to Cusco. The line for check in was 50 minutes, my plane had allready started boarding when the finally finished my check in, i was not allowed to go to bagdrop even though i was allready checked in from Copenhagen. So a very stressed out, sweatty Doris ran upstairs, had to stop by first to pay airport taxes, then run through security and sat down in my seat with 10 minutes to spare. But i made it and now i am in Cusco.
My program starts on sunday so i have few days to find the office and get use to the altitude.

kram kram

After 30 hours of travel i finally arrived in Cusco this morning. After warm welcome i came to the apartment i am staying in. Have just been taking it easy today. Resting, getting use to the altitude. My heart is beating faster and i breath a little heavier.
Going to go to bed early and try to catch up on some sleep