Blogs from La Libertad, Peru, South America - page 2

I had my first medical campaign yesterday. It was organized by a local health clinic with both doctor and nurse participants. We packed up the medical supplies and medicine and set off to a remote area of La Moche, a town outside of Trujillo. Our arrival was immediately ensued by a line formation outside of our worksite. The worksite was a one-room schoolhouse. For the children, we recorded their names, age, weight, and height. We conducted hemoglobin testing and documented these results as well. There was a table devoted to listening to their hearts and lungs and another devoted to administering medications. For the adults, we also recorded their blood pressure. I was able to circulate amongst the tables providing help where I could.I also managed a dental hygiene station. Here, I brushed their teeth, instructed ... read more

Time on the North Coast of Peru slides by easily, but we didn't realize that it's been so long since our last update. When we came to Huanchaco, we were looking for a sleepy little beach town, and that's just what we found. Most days are taken up with a little bit of work on the computer, a little bit of almuerzo and a little bit of time in the sun. Not bad, but not very exciting subject matter either. We've also been healing our scars (literally, emotionally, financially, etc.) from the previously chronicled theft and hospitalization. But, as everyone knows, bad luck comes in threes, so we knew we were due for something else. One night, as Justin sat watching the finale of Homeland, it came in spectacular fashion. The television exploded in a burst ... read more

Geo: -8.0795, -79.1206Gegen 6:00 Uhr morgens treffen wir in Trujillo ein. Doch etwas gerädert von 2 Nächten in Folge im Bus nehmen wir ein Taxi zu unserem Zielort Huanchaco.Ein süßer Ort am Strand mit blühender Surferscene soll Huanchaco sein. Viel erkennen können wir davon nicht. Das Hostel, welches wir ansteuern ist mittlerweile keines mehr und so fährt uns der Taxifahrer zu seinem „Tipp". Obwohl es ein ziemlich düsteres Loch ist, nehmen wir das Zimmer – und bereuen es kurz später als wir durch den Ort schlendern und durchaus nett aussehende Hostels entdecken. Na, ja – wir haben uns aber auch gleich entschlossen nur eine Nacht zu bleiben, denn so toll ist der Ort nun wirklich nicht. Der Strand ist grau in grau und dreckig und obwohl die Brandung wirklich gut zum Surfen geeignet zu sein scheint, ... read more

On Thursday, we had one last lunch at the California Kitchen and headed over to the Cuenca bus station. To get to the North Coast of Peru, the quickest way is to cross at the coast... however, this crossing is notable for its sketchiness. So, we decided to cross into Peru at the mountain crossing, near Macara, for caution's sake (in literature, this would be called foreshadowing). This also gave us a chance to spend our last night in Ecuador in Loja, other than Cuenca our favorite place in the country. We had some tamales and empanadas at url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador/the-southern-highlands/loja/restaurants/south-american/el-tamal-lojanoEl Tamal Lojano, and a couple of drinks at url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador/the-southern-highlands/loja/entertainment-nightlife/pub/el-viejo-mineroEl Viejo Minero. Friday morning, we headed out early for the long bu... read more

…… and here is that afore mentioned instalment. Your correspondent arrived here via a bus and an article read in the Peruvian press by W. The article held promise of a relaxed city with a plaza surrounded by colourful town halls and cathedrals. The article was not without accuracy. There are two main attractions here, one being Chan Chan , the other being Huaca de Luna. With names like these how could they be resisted. We asked our landlady who was attired in a luxurious velvety green dressing gown how to get to Chan Chan and she told us to leave the hostal, turn left and get a local bus. To the amazement of your correspondent, this proved a most correct set of directions. Chan Chan is staggering. Although built much later than Chivan ( see ... read more