Clear as Mud.

My new home away from home: Stanford University!

After my first week of PA school at Stanford, I have learned one very important thing:

As my roommate, Julie, so eloquently put it, “Apparently PA school at Stanford is really hard.” 

Okay, so maybe I have learned a lot more than that, but that is the most important thing I can share with all of you.  Accepting that this is going to be not just hard, but exhausting, overwhelming, and at times, downright awful has been a huge learning experience. It was probably the most overwhleming and emotionally exhausting week of my life; from moving away from Jake (my fiance!), my friends and family, to adjusting to California living, to force-feeding my brain with 13+ hours of medical knowledge daily... it was an adjustment to say the least.  However, I made it through with minimal tears shed.  (By minimal I mean daily, of course!)

To sum up my first week:

1.) The professors will not tell you specifically what you need to know.

2.) They will tell you that you should not focus on the details.

3.) However, they do tell us that they expect us to know everything (details included, of course).

Clear as mud?  Yep.  I thought so too.

Oh and most importantly...

4.) This “everything” must be learned by each Friday when we have a weekly exam. 

I know, I know, you’re saying that I should have expected this and that of course PA school was going to be hard.  Well, yes, thank you for pointing that out.  Now THAT is a clear statement that actually makes sense.  

Jokes, frustrations, and confusion aside, I love the program.  My professors are amazing, the program is well laid out and I feel like I am learning from the best, amongst the best.  My class of 44 is so great!  Everyone is very helpful and supportive.  We WILL get through the next 21 months.  It just might... No, let me rephrase that.  It will be the most intense (and sleep-deprived) 21 months of our lives.    

Stanford's beautiful campus

On the plus side, my living situation is amazing! My roommate (house-mate) Julie is also in my program and she is the most amazing person I could imagine living with! And Palo Alto, although it is no Alaska, is a perfect home-away-from-home.  Constant sun, a HUGE running and biking community, and Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods just a bikeride away? What more could I ask for?!  All is definitely well on the home-front!  :)

The next two years will be the most challenging I’ve ever experienced, but I know it will ultimately make me a stronger person and a well-educated PA.  

Okay, on that note.... back to the books. I feel guilty if every SINGLE moment of my day isn't devoted to learning. Enough time away from studying. 

Warning: This Post May Induce Hunger...



A Traditional Street Food Vendor Selling Patas de Pollo

Cuy Frito

It would be depriving you of something absolutely vital I left Peru without describing the unbelievable Peruvian cuisine. Aside from Cuy Frito (fried guinea pig) and Patas de Pollo (Chicken feet), I have come to discover the Peruvian cuisine is the most amazing food I have ever eaten. 

Here are some of my favorites: 

1.  Ají.  I could eat this condiment with a spoon.  (Okay, so there is a slight possibility that I have done that... on multiple occasions...) This spicy sauce is made from different varieties of peppers, mixed with salt, pepper, and olive oil.  Every meal is accompanied by a small dish of this heavenly goodness and I generally end up asking for seconds.  This request is usually followed by a laugh from the waiter because they are not used to Gringos asking for more! I do not know what I am going to do without it when I go back to the US.   American hot sauce is like water compared to Ají.

Ají de Tres Colores

2. Choclo. This white corn variety is served on street corners, where women boil the corn and serve it with nothing more than a dash of salt.  It's gigantic kernals are sweet and juicy and leave you begging for more.  In Southern Peru, specifically the Cusco region, they serve it with a local cheese.  I have dreams of Choclo.  Mmm...

Choclo

3.  Arroz Con Leche.  A silky, creamy sweet rice with a hint of cinnamon.  Plump, juicy raisins are like delicous little pieces of treasure every time you find one in the bowl.  I have this at least 2x/week.  Okay, maybe closer to 4x/week...

Creamy Deliciousness

4.  Humitas and Tamales.  Humitas are made of delicously sweet Choclo, corn meal, and queso fresco. They are wrapped in corn husks and are generally cooked in boiling water. Tamales are a savory variation, and are usually spicy, large and wrapped in banana leaves. They are generally filled with chicken or pork, boiled eggs, olives, and chili peppers.  As most dishes are in Peru, it is accompanied by mass amounts of mayonaisse. 

Tamales

5.  Ají de Gallina.  A delicous dish consisting of shredded chicken served with a creamy, yellow sauce made from ají amarillo, cheese, and crackers.  It is served with Peruvian rice and topped with hard-boiled eggs. ¡Fabuloso!

Ají de Gallina

6.  Lomo Saltado.  Although I do not eat red meat, I did try this (eating off Amber and my Dad's plates!).  For a girl who hates red meat, it is absolutely amazing.  It is a dish that has Asian influences, consisting of thin strips of tender steak, marinated in vinegar, soy sauce and spices, then stir fried with red onions, parsley and tomatoes. Served traditionally over white rice and homemade french fries. Yum!

Lomo Saltado

7.  Cebiche.  Okay, I feel bad even talking about this because I did not have a good experience with Cebiche.  I tried it in Lima, which was the wrong place to try it.  The fish was not fresh and definitely made me quesy.  However, Trujillo and Northern Peru are known for their delicious Cebiche.  Every Peruvian I have spoken with said, "You haven't seen Peru until you try Cebiche!"  Cebiche is fresh, raw fish (or octopus, shrimp, crab, anything that swims, etc) marinated in lime juice and spicy red peppers.  It is served with Camote (sweet potato), red onions, and Choclo. 

Cebiche

8.  Anticuchos.  I am only writing about these unsightly things because Amber loves them.  I could not bring myself to try them.  Anticuchos are brochettes made from beef heart marinated in a various Peruvian spices.  They are grilled, often sided with boiled potatoes and corn. They are usually sold by street vendors and served shish kabob-style. 

Peruvian Street Vendor selling Anticuchos (Beef Heart)

9.  Pollo a la Brasa. This grilled chicken is one of the most consumed foods in this country. It's basically a gutted chicken marinated in a marinade that includes various peruvian ingredients and baked in hot ashes. The dish comes with French fries, salad and various sauces (peruvian mayonnaise, ketchup and ají).  You can either order a 1/4, 1/2, or whole chicken and it is served on a plate with bones and all. 

Pollo a la Brasa

10. Mazamorra Morada.  I did not think I would like this, as it looks like purple goo with fruit chunks floating about.  However, I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it is! It is a jelly-like dessert, made from the juice of purple maize (corn), sugar, cinnamon, cloves. When that mixture is cooled, chopped fruit is added. Absolutely delicious!

Mazamorra Morada



If you are not drooling by now, you should be!!  The food is so amazing, and I could literally go on forever describing the delicous food.  MOST IMPORTANTLY, I am so happy to say that in 6 weeks, I did not get Montezuma's revenge.  Well, not anything too vicious anyways :) I consider that, in itself, to make my entire trip a success! 

Tears of Joy and Tears of Sadness

Hospital Belen, Trujillo

Finally, an unbelievable day! Okay, that's not true.  Every day in Peru has been unbelievable.  But yesterday was a day that went even BETTER than planned! I walked into La Sala de Partos (labor and delivery) in the morning to see every delivery room full!  I had my first experience with a screamer, whereas most of the other mothers have barely make a sound. (This mother also left bruises in the shape of grip marks on my upper arm and wrist. In fact, I'm glad to have walked out of the room with all my bones intact!)  She held/deathgripped my hand through contractions, and looked to me for support as I gave her my limited repertoire of Spanish encouragement phrases.  It was amazing to watch, as the 17 year old kept repeating "no puedo, no puedo, no puedo!" (I can't, I can't, I can't!), but somehow she found the strength to delivery a perfect little boy.  The moment she saw her baby, tears of joy started falling down her cheeks and she turned to me to say, "gracias, gracias, gracias... no sé lo que habría hecho sin ti." (Thank you, thank you, thank you... I don't know what I would have done without you.)  If those words don't make you smile, I don't know what will.  It was a moment I will never forget. 

The second mother was 16 and delivered her baby at just 27 weeks gestation.  Premature births are extremely frequent in Peru.  The nurses told me that every incubator in the neonatal unit is always full and they frequently have to put two infants inside a single incubator- just to give you an idea of how often this occurs.  In the US when a baby is delivered that early, there is generally an entire team of doctors and nurses ready to assist the delivery.  Here, there is the normal staff, the neonatologist, an incubator, a pulsoximeter, and an oxygen tank.  The baby is delivered and carried to the warming table where the neonatologist quickly places it in a plastic bag and listens to it's tiny little lungs.  The baby yesterday was probably slightly longer than my hand.  It immediately cried and showed no signs of immediate distress, so they placed a teeny-tiny oxygen mask on the baby and whisked it away in the incubator to the neonatal unit.  Life then continued as usual; on to the next delivery.  Truly fanscinating, and oh, so tiny! 

I then made way to the next room.  Another 17 year old who also had the occasional tendency to scream and crush hands.  She was a sweetheart and I was able to help her through the course of her contractions, holding hands and massaging her aching back.  As I wrote in one of my previous blogs, the women are generally placed in a room with two beds; one for labor and another for delivery.  This poor mother was in a room without a delivery bed, so she had to walk down the hall (while fully dilated and having contractions), climb onto a metal bed, and proceed to delivery her adorable baby girl.  What a trooper she was.  It amazes me how in just one second these young girls change from being children themselves into mothers; forever responsible for a tiny life.

Part way through the progression of her labor, there was a lot of commotion in the hall and I heard, "¡expulsíon!" which essentially means, "he's crowning!"  Down the hall fly three nurses pushing a mother on a table, with the baby clearly making it's grand entrance into the world.  I won't go into any more detail on the birth, but it was the saddest thing I have yet seen.  The baby was stillborn.  The mother had some sort of mental deficit and the obstetrician told me later that the baby had a birth defect that caused premature birth at just 20 weeks.  Apparently, this is also fairly common in Peru so they handled it quickly and stoically.  I however, had to wipe away tears; it was devastating to witness. 

Today was my last day working at the hospital.  It was a busy day- Friday the 13th.  Peruvians are quite superstitious, but for them Friday the 13th is more a day of unpredictability, not necessarily bad luck.  For Peruvians, today is more importantly, Día de la Virgen de Fátima (a day in remembrance of a Portuguese woman, Lucía Santa, who saw many apparations of the Virgin Mary starting the night of May 13th, 1917). They believe that it is a day that many babies will be born.  I think there may have been some truth: babies were born right and left.  I brought my camara and was able to take many pictures of the hospital, the awesome staff, and the delivery rooms (forget HIPAA rules here!).  I honestly am sad to be leaving.  In the course of my time at the hospital, I have made some great friends!  The people are so genuine, kind, and friendly.  Never once during my time there was a treated as a Gringa, and ambrazos y besos (hugs and kisses) were shared as I left.  It was hard to say goodbye to them, but I hope to return some day.  And more importantly, Alaska is calling my name...

A Weekend Getaway to Máncora!

It may sound ridiculous, but after the craziness of last week, I needed a vacation from my vacation! Amber, her friend, Kaylee, and myself took the overnight bus to Mancora, an amazing town on the Northern coast of Peru. White sand, warm water, hot sun... Ahhhh it was incredible. Although I felt almost uncomfortable with all of the other tourists! I am so used to going days without seeing a single white person, it was a sight for sore eyes. We filled our Saturday with relaxing on the beach and lounging by the pool. Saturday night I had my first Peruvian nightclub experience. If you know me well, you know there's nothing I love more than going dancing!


Pisco Sour

My nightclub experience in summary:

1.) Fabulous music!!
2.) As mentioned in my previous blog, Peruvians can really dance!
3.) Inka Cola (the infamous bubble gum flavored soda) and rum do not mix... Yuck
4.) It is best to avoid using bathrooms at bars. Well, that's a true statement in any Peruvian public place, but this brought unsanitary to a whole new level...
5.) When Peruvians go out with other people, they socialize soley with that group.  There is no separating, mingling, or heaven forbid, dancing with someone outside the group. 
6.) Pisco sours are pretty tasty, but very sweet! I tried my first one on Saturday which is practically the national drink of Peru. Pisco is a colorless grape-flavored brandy that is mixed with lemon juice, simple syrup, and topped wih frogged egg whites. Okay, I admit that sounds awful in writing, but it actually quite tasty.
7.) As in most European nightlife scenes, nightlife doesn't really start until 12 or 1AM.  By 3AM, the town is just start to get wild and crazy! (And I've turned into an old lady here... bedtime at 9, so I was one sleepy Brittany!)



Moto "Taxis" in Máncora

Sunday morning was fabulous.  After an amazing run on the white sand, I relaxed by the pool, trying to soak up every last bit of warmth that I could.  It's amazing how even two short days can rejuvinate you- I highly recommend a weekend getaway to all of you!

It was back to reality on Monday.  Frustrations have reached an all-time high on the volunteering front.  I have learned very quickly that the concept of organizing ahead of time does not exist here.  Amber has told me this many times in the last 7 months of her stay, but I had NO idea just how true it is.  I truly admire the amount of patience you have to have while living here.  

On Monday I was going to work in the inpatient pediatric department, so we went to the hospital to meet with the department chair to arrange my rotations.  It turns out he didn't even know we were coming and he was in surgery until almost noon... so we sat outside the hospital and waited for him for 3 hours.  Of course at that point it was siesta, so I went to lunch and went back a few hours later. When I got there, they had already done rounds on patients, so I literally sat around for 3 hours without the doctor even saying one word to me.  Whew.  Luckily the nurses were very nice and I was able to practice speaking Spanish the entire time.  If nothing else, I will be a much better Spanish speaker when all is said and done! 

Yesterday morning I was supposed to help with infant and toddler physicals at the clinic, but it turns out they didn't have many scheduled so I was only able to help with 4 patients.  In the afternoon, thank heavens, I went back to the delivery room and was able to help dress, weigh, and feed newborns.  I also got to see an emergency C-section!  I don't know if it is the same in the United States, but it is a brutal operation.  Not to get into too much detail for you non-medical readers... but there was a lot of pulling, stretching, and blood.  Washed blankets were again used as sterile skin covers, instruments were used after being soaked in a bleach solution, gauze was used in place of cauterizing, a catheter bag was created out of a used glove, and the anesthetist was on her computer in the corner of the room. You almost forgot that there was a human underneath the blue blankets!  After a few minutes, a tiny little newborn emerged!  There is nothing more beautiful than the baby's first cry.  

Today the "possibility" is to return to the delivery room.  Although, yet again, the person who is "organizing" my rotations has not responded to my e-mails.  Patience, patience, patience... :)  Lucky for all of you (haha), it gave my time to write a blog instead!  ¡Hasta luego amigos!

Baila, Gringa, Baila!

Whoever said white people can't dance may, in fact, be correct. Or maybe it's more of a Walker sister thing. Don't get me wrong, we can definitely dance in our own way, but my hips just don't move like the Peruvians do. Amber and I took a dance class on Wednesday at the gym. Think Zumba on steroids. This was some serious dancing. Front, side, criss-cross, together, spin forward, side, back, repeat! Whew! Let's just say I was almost made roadkill by the other dancers :) After letting go of the fact that I looked ridiculous and attracted many stares, I had a great time. It was definitely an ab workout from all of the laughing!

The best part (insert sarcasm here) was that there is an overhang for observers, and the back of the room is lined by floor to ceiling windows that open to the gym equipment. During the dance classes, I think the men do less working-out and spend most of their time watching (or in our case, laughing at gringas) while we get our dance on! It was absolutely hysterical.

I am SO happy to tell you that I got to help deliver my first baby yesterday! (And second baby, a 28 week old preemie!) It was absolutely incredible. Let me first tell you how lucky women are in the US. (It giving birth freaks you out, you may not want to read all of this!) 

In Peru:

1.) Women are not allowed to have any family (no spouses, mothers, sisters, etc.) in the room from the time contractions start until the time they go to recovery 8 hours post-partum.

2.) The labor and delivery rooms are combined. When it's time to push, women have to climb off their bed and climb onto the delivery bed. (Which is no more than a metal bed with stirrups, covered in a plastic towel, with a metal "catching basin" that leaks fluids into a bucket below.)

3.) Forget an epidural injection. These do not exist here.  And forget numbing medication for episiotomies... eek!  I could not believe the strength these women have; barely a sound was made in the room until the baby's first cry! No tears, complaints, or screams!

4.) After giving birth, the baby is literally whisked away to a little room where it is measured, cleaned and placed in the same crib as all the other newborns. And Peruvians are so creative! I learned swaddling techniques I had never seen, and a genious way to make a hat- simply put a diaper upside-down on the baby's head! They definitely make use of what they have! The teeny tiny newborn don't meet his mother until approximately 2 hours later.

5.) Sterile is a relative term. Washed sheets are used to cover the mother's skin, betadine is poured over her and wiped away with non-sterile cotton gauze, scissors and instruments are placed on a non-sterile table, sterile gloves are also used to move things, open packages, etc. In addition, some nurses and doctors wear masks and hairnets, while other's don't, and the same scrubs are worn daily.

6.) Forget privacy. Women give birth either nude or wearing only a shirt, with the door wide open and approximately 15 people are scattered about the room observing the birth. After delivery, all of the mothers are placed together in large room filled with beds- it would almost be like a slumber party if they weren't so exhausted from giving birth...

7.) Fetal monitoring is nothing more than hand palpations, blood pressure monitoring, and checking the babies pulse using a heart monitor every hour, or less.  Even in the case of the premature birth. 

It was such an amazing learning experience and the best Mother's Day present for those young women! Speaking of which, ¡Feliz dia de Madre! (Happy Mother's Day!) to all of you who are mothers, and a very special "Happy Mother's Day" to my Mom!  I love you!  I am so much more appreciative of what mothers have to go through to bring us into this world!

Poco a Poco

Day Two in Summary:

1.) I did not work in obstetrics as planned. (Anyone surprised?)

2.) I did not work this afternoon as planned. (Sigh...)

3.) I talked to the airlines and it seems my bag mysteriously left this world but they are "still looking." (Deep breath...)

4.) Given the above, I decided to buy a change of clothes so I took a taxi to the mall. After finding a shirt and shorts, I was told at checkout they will not accept credit cards without ID. (Where was my ID you ask? Of course I left it at the hotel!)

Peruvians frequently use the saying, "Poco a poco," meaning, little by little.  Although my day presented challenges, I am learning poco a poco that they are nothing compared to what Peruvians face on a daily basis.

This morning I went with a nurse to various neighborhoods near the clinic. The nurses go out every week to do house visits with patients that miss appointments or haven't been seen in a while. Most of the patients lived in areas called quintas, which are living spaces with a communal kitchen, toilet, and washroom for laundry. If they are lucky, there may be a shower to share among 20+ families.

The quintas are located in the space between buildings; a cobblestone pathway no more than 3-feet wide surrounded by disinigrating brick walls reaching high into the sky above. Hoses bring water to the homes and trash is scattered throughout the walkway. Stray dogs are curled in the doorways, their legs scratching away ticks and fleas. Doors are no more than 3 wooden planks nailed together or even a tarp hanging from the rotting wooden doorframe. House numbers were traced onto the cement with a pencil, as were multiple initials, drawings, and inappropriate comments. It was better to breathe from my mouth only, as the stench of urine lingered in the air. Inside the homes was a dark room filled with multiple bunkbeds, a handful of dishes, a small rickety table, and a clothesline hanging from the blue-tarp celing above.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." The people I met today have insurmountable strength and it truly puts my challenges into perspective. I aspire to live as they do, especially in every day-to-day obstacle that happens to come my way.

First Day of Volunteering!

If it hasn't been made clear enough in my blog thus far, I am definitely learning that things usually do not go as planned. In fact, I think it's better to eliminate the word "plan" completely from my Spanish vocabulary and change it to "possibility." I started volunteering today, not my possible start date of yesterday.  This was actually was a huge relief because I was so exhausted from traveling. Instead of the possibility to volunteer at the hospital in labor and delivery, I will be working in many clinics throughout Trujillo.  So... no baby catching for me!  There is a slight possibility that I am going to work tomorrow night 7PM-8AM in the delivery room which would be amazing!  But... I am not going to get my hold my breath! :)

This morning I ventured into a poorer neighborhood of Trujillo, where I'll be helping in multiple specialties. Today, I worked in family medicine and in just 3.5 hours we saw 25 patients and three pharmaceutical reps! Whew! Literally no sooner had the patient walked out of the door and the next patient was being called into the room. Charts are no more than a stack of papers stapled together, examinations are sporadic, and some sort of medication was given to every patient. Antibiotics were prescribed for most symptoms: from stomachaches to sore throats to coughs.

Also advised by the doctor was drinking lots of LUKEWARM beverages. Never, ever, are the patients to drink cold beverages. If they do happen to drink something cold, the doctor told the patients that it will aggrevate their symptoms and they will only get more sick. One patient had a fever and a slightly redder-than-normal throat and the doctor said that it was caused by the ice cream she had eaten the previous day. It is no joke that Peruvians truly believe cold drinks, foods, showers, etc. can cause sore throats and flu-like symptoms. Definitely a difference from what I am used to. I get many stares at the gym when I drink my refrigerated water. Although it is probably becuase I am a gringa and not as much the water. :) All in all, it was a fabulous first day and a true learning experience! The majority of the patients were children and infants which was exactly what I wanted to see!

One of the funniest parts of the day was meeting with the pharmaceutical reps. For all my fellow OPA'ers, it was quite the change from what we're used to! The rep handed a drug sample to the doctor and gives a 15 second speech on how it will help the patients (most saying, "it will solve all of the patients' problems, it is the most effective on the market, and you will be very pleased!"). Out of the bag comes another box if medicine, and the same speech is given. This goes on for approximately 3 minutes and they shake hands and in comes the next patient without skipping a beat. I was given approximately 20 samples today from arthritis drugs to iron-fortified pain medications. Very interesting!

Tomorrow I get to work in obstetrics and help with pregnancy exams. The doctor informed me today that the average first-time mother they see in their clinic is around 17 years old. By the time they are 30, most mothers have 4 children. I asked about contraceptives and she said that many do not take it for one of two reasons: either they are not well educated and don't know how to take the prescriptions correctly, or that their significant other believes taking the pills will increase the likelihood of her infidelity, so they do not allow it. Most of the mothers are just children themselves and it is not uncommon to see 12-year-old mothers in the clinic. My experiences are definitely humbling and put my superficial complaints into perspective. It makes me ask myself what is truly important and how incredibly much I have to be thankful for. I challenge you to live vicariously through me and remember how blessed we are to be Americans!

Peruvian Time

Fact: Things just move slower in Peru.

When walking down the street, people tend to move at a very leisurely pace, even when they are running late. If you happen to say, "tengo prisa!" (I'm in a hurry), they give you either a glare or a deer-in-the-headlights blank stare. Unlike a certain someone who is used to mapping every second of the day (e.g. wake up at 4:45AM, gym at 5:30AM, work from 7:30AM-4:30PM, run at 5:00PM, 6:00-11:00PM to include: grocery store, clean the floors, study/work on applications, cook, eat, spend time with friends/family, get stuff ready for tomorrow, fall asleep while reading and... repeat! Who could this be?!), their days are less rushed.  Time is spent doing what is absolutely necessary with the ones they love: Relaxed breakfast, leisurely walk to work, walk home to have a gigantic lunch, 2-hour siesta, walk back to work, walk home and enjoy a light dinner with family and friends.  That is not to say that life is not hard here.  I cannot even begin to fathom the stressors that they face on a daily basis!  As I said above, things just move slower, not easier. 

That being said, it has been a challenge to adapt to their slow pace.  I love the lifestyle: A built in naptime for adults?  Sign me up!  Required lunch breaks?! Yes, please! Walking everywhere? Sounds amazing! But when it comes business, (specifically the LAN airlines lost luggage department) it is a whole different story.  Two days have passed since my luggage disappeared, and the airlines doesn't seem to think it's an issue.  I have called probably 15 times, spoken to different people (in Spanish, which is frustrating in itself!), to find out, "Lo siento señorita, no sabemos nada.  Pero estamos buscando." (Sorry Miss, we don't know anything.  But we are looking.)  I suppose it is a blessing that they are speaking in Spanish because my vocabulary isn't good enough to tell them what I really want to say.  I am trying to change my frame of mind today, because I know everything happens for a reason.  Either this is a really mean lesson in surviving as a smelly person, or it's a lesson in handling things outside my control.  I suppose it's the latter, but I definitely do not smell very good!  I am very grateful that I have my sister here to lend me clothes and shoes, and I am learning that things can be easily replaced.  Well, everything except for the 5 lb block of Cheddar Cheese that I was bringing down for Amber.  Mmm... can you imagine how good my clothes are going to smell if they do find my luggage?!  Maybe I should be thankful for the way I smell now... :)

California Dreaming!

This past week I spent in sunny California! As some of you know, I am starting PA school at Stanford in just 2 months. We had orientation this past week, so I has to take a small (ha!) side-trip to California. I felt like a kindergartner on her first day of school: so many unknowns and 50 new smiling faces to meet! Luckily all of my worries subsided the second I met my classmates. They are amazing! We are going to have a great, albeit extremely intense, two years together! It is truly hard to believe that I am going to attend Stanford. While walking on the gorgeous campus, it felt so surreal! If you have never seen the campus, you need to put it on your bucket list. It is absolutely stunning. After two exhausting days of orientation, I spent some time looking around the Palo Alto area for housing. Whew- not as easy as it sounds!! Average rooms rent for $900+/mo + utilities (and that's sharing a house with 4+ other roommates!) I am pretty sure I found one, so cross your fingers it works out!

The quick trip came to a close and before I knew it, I was sitting on a plane headed back to Peru. For the first time since leaving Alaska, today I felt ready to hop on the first plane back home. Why do they call it "homesick?" I feel like "homeache" would be a more appropriate term. I am definitely aching for home. Let's just say today was rough and not my finest: My number one apartment choice fell through, had a horrible experience with a fire hydrant that we won't talk about, and upon arrival into Lima, I found out my luggage is nowhere to be found. That was definitely the icing on the cake. Whew.

Lessons learned today:
1.) Breathe in, breathe out.
2.) Things could always be worse and will always get better.
3.) Nothing replaces a good hug. Any takers?
4.) Most importantly, I am so grateful for the generosity and kindness from my CA family, The Griffins. I love them so very much!

On a positive note, I am very excited to start volunteering on Monday! (That is, if they find my luggage. Haha! Right now I just have one pair of jeans, flip-flops, and a sweatshirt. No scrubs or shoes to wear... But that's easy to replace I suppose!) I'll be working at a hospital in the labor and delivery and neonatology units! It should be a humbling and eye-opening experience! While at orientation this week, a Stanford med student told me his one piece of advice for working in L&D: Never drop the baby. A very wise man. :) If that's all I have to remember while delivering babies, I think I'm set! I hope you all are doing well and know that I'm thinking of you always!!

Semana Santa and Surf Lessons!



Procession during Semana Santa

In many Latin American and European countries, the week before Easter, called Samana Santa (Holy Week) is often more celebrated than Easter day itself.  This was definitely the case in Peru!  Starting with the Sunday before at Palm Sunday Mass, the priest described parade after parade that would occur in the upcoming week.  Thursday and Friday before Easter are considered National Holidays, so most businesses were shut down as the people flocked to the coastal towns to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather and fabulous festivals.  The most interesting part, however, is that on Easter Sunday itself, most businesses opened back up and resumed life as usual! 

The parades were amazing to see, with gorgeous displays of the Crucifix, huge marching bands, incense, and people following the procession as they walked for miles.  One specific procession walked over 15 miles, from one end of Trujillo to the other.  On Easter Sunday, my family and I went to the Cathedral in Trujillo for mass.  40 minutes later, the mass was over (if you have EVER been to a Catholic holiday mass, or any mass for that matter, you will know this is not normal!) and life continued as any other normal day.  It was a change from the celebrations that I am used to! 


Sunset in Huanchaco, Peru

Since Amber was able to get the Thursday and Friday before Easter off of work, we went to Huanchaco, a town 25 minutes by car from Trujillo.  It is well known to be a surfer's paradise.  Amber has recently become an avid surfer, so she convinced myself and her friend Kathleen to take surfing lessons.  One more fabulous thing about Peru:  it's affordable, if not downright cheap.  A two-hour surfboard lesson, wetsuit and surfboard rental coast only s/35, or about $12.  After learning, in Spanish, that I am a "goofy" (a universal word!) and how to balance on the board on land (not as easy as it sounds when the instructor is pushing you back and forth to mimic waves!) we headed out into the ocean!  First wave came... and I caught it!  Second wave came.... success again!  By the third wave, I thought I was a pro!  It was 4th through 35th waves that got a little ugly.  :)  Let's just make this fact known:  Surfing IS NOT as easy as it looks.  However, equally as true:  Surfing IS as fun as it looks!  Although I swallowed gallons of delicious sea water and attracted many stares as a ridiculously horrible Gringa surfer, it was a fabulous first experience surfing!  Next weekend we are going to another well-known surfing destination in Peru, so hopefully I can try it again!



Picarones in Peru

After a fun day of surfing, we were starving.  Peruvian street food deserves an entire blog post of it's own, so I won't go into too much detail.  Amber, Kathleen and I shared some amazing Peruvian delicacies called Picarones.  Picarones are essentially deep fried dough made from squash and sweet potato. It is served in a doughnut form and covered with a syrup made from chancaca (solidified molasses- way yummier than it sounds).  If you aren't drooling, you should be.  They are perfectly brown and crisp on the outside and soft and warm on the inside.  Topped with the sweet sauce, you forget that you are on earth for a few moments and drown in deliciousness.  Mmm... A perfect end to a semi-successful day at the beach!

Trujillo, Peru: Combi rides and one sweaty Gringa!

After 10 long days of unforgettable adventures, we ventured to the Northern coast of Peru. It is here, in Trujillo, that my sister lives and volunteers as a physical therapist. We all felt immediate relief to be staying somewhere for more than a couple of days! Traveling is exhausting, and living out of a suitcase can get very smelly :) We are staying at a hotel two blocks away from the beautiful Cathedral and Plaza de Armas, which has been the perpetual host to parades and celebrations since it is Semana Santa, or Holy Week.

Combi in Peru

On our second day in Trujillo, my gringo family and I got on a Combi and took the journey to Amber's house in La Esparanza, a suburb 20 minutes outside of Trujillo. A Combi is a privately-owned "mini-bus" (think old VW van) that transports passengers along specific routes. They are generally filled past capacity and it is not uncommon to see roosters, infants, and bags of produce overflowing from within. They are also more affordable than taxis and buses, generally costing less than 1 sole ($0.33) and a safer alternative to a taxi. Safer in the in sense that robberies are less common... the ride, on the other hand, is a whole other story. The Combis race from one street corner to the next, swerving in and out of "lanes" with passengers holding on for dear life (forget the concept of seatbelts or carseats here!). Sudden stops are to be expected as is speeding off before new passengers have got both feet into the vehicle!

After a safe arrival to La Esparanza, we met Amber's host family, who is absolutely wonderful! They take such good care of my sister. We met many aunts and cousins and enjoyed a huge lunch consisting of roasted chicken, rice, carrot & beet salad, choclo (huge corn = my favorite thing in Peru!), and Chicha Morada, a delcious juice made from Purple corn. It was truly one of my favorite meals I have had here. After hours of visiting, my Spanish skills were officially exhausted and we headed back to our hotel.

Trujillo is close to two major archaeological sites of pre-Columbian monuments: Chan Chan, the Chimu city considered to be the largest adobe city in the ancient world, and the temples of the Sun (the largest adobe pyramid in Peru) and Moon. We took a tour to Chan Chan which turned out to be a great photography experience, but not the best edcuational one. Unfortunately, our guide did not speak English very well and what he did speak, we could not understand. Therefore, I found myself standing close to the nearby children's fieldtrip which was conducted in Spanish and precisely at my Spanish level! :). From my fieldtrip, I learned that the city of Chan Chan covers an area of approximately 12.5 square miles and it is estimated that over 30,000 people lived in the city. The adobe city was built by the Chimor (the kingdom of the Chimú), a civilization which grew out of the earlier Moche civilization. The adobe city was such a drastic contrast from the bustling city of Trujillo, a mere 20 minutes away.

A favorite part to my arrival in Trujillo is being able to run again! You all know how much I love a good run. :) Given the knowledge from my prior blogs about Peruvian drivers, it's safe to say running on the streets is not the wisest idea. I did it my first day here, but after a few too many close encounters with taxis, I decided to look at Amber's gym. They offer spin classes, weights (thinking of you, Riley!) and have treadmills, so I decided to sign up for the remaining month I'm here.

First lesson learned at the gym: Bring a towel. There is a belief here that any sort of cold draft can cause a cold, so all the windows are closed and there is not a fan to be found. So, after 7 miles on the treadmill in 85+ degrees I'm pretty sure I looked like a wet dog, dripping profusely out of every pore. The same belief goes for cold beverages, therefore most bottled water is served at room temperature.

Second lesson learned while at the gym: Do not run on the treadmill during rush hour traffic. The treadmills are lined up against the front of the building with floor to ceiling glass directly in front of the machines. It literally feels like a museum display case with me, the sweaty Gringa, on exhibit for every passerby's pleasure. Three lanes of traffic were stopped for an average of 2 minutes per car directly in front of my treadmill. This meant 2 painfully long minutes of "running-man" imitations, blatant pointing, hysterical laughing, and many baffled stares. Needless to say, that was the longest run of my life. :)

Our week has been filled with more fun and there are many more stories to come... Thinking of you all!!

Things I take for granted in Alaska:

1.) Punctuality. Welcome to the world of waiting "solo diez o viente minutos"... 90 minutes later, we ate our lunch!
2.) A big, tall glass of delicious Alaskan tap water. Bottled Peruvian water just isn't the same!
3.) Toilet seats.
4.) Toilet paper. Never, ever go anywhere in Peru without TP.
5.) Toilets, period. Hole in the ground, anyone?
6.) Using car horns for emergency purposes only. (Here, it can mean: go, stop, watch out, I'm about to run a red light, so either move or get hit, hey gringo, you need a cab?, this traffic is ridiculous, so I'm going to honk and maybe it will move faster... It's more of a constant cacophony versus the occasional obnoxious honk.)
7.) Warm showers... Oh how I dream of a nice, steaming, hot shower!
8.) Clean clothes. Still wearing the same clothes I brought down to Peru. Thank goodness for Febreeze and a nice family who doesn't tell you if you really do smell! :)
9.) Dogs having owners. There are SO many strays here, it breaks my heart. I wish I could take them all home!
10.) This is definitely my number one... Being able to run outside. It's possible here, but it's more of an obstacle course: avoid crazy drivers, don't trip on the cobblestone streets(which we all know I've been known to do!), watch out for stray dogs, avoid the men shouting, "corre, gringa, corre!" (run, white girl, run!), oh such an adventure!!

Majestic Machu Picchu

Magnificent, spectacular, extraordinary, phenomenal... no words can even begin to describe the splendor of Machu Picchu. It was by far the most wonderful place I have ever been.

Early yesterday morning, we took the train from Ollantaytamba to Aguas Calientes. When the train arrived, we got on a bus and went up a steep switchback road overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River. The road climbed up to the entrance of the park. It was foggy and very mystical looking; like walking into Jurassic Park. We started up a steep trail through the jungle which led to one of many overlooks to the Inca ruins. The ruins were so pristine and perfect; absolutely awe-insiring!  To make the scenery even more incredible, llamas walked around us, posing just perfectly to be in the picture as the fog started to lift and the tall mountains appeared. It was unbelievable. We watched the fog lift, revealing mountains dropping deep into the valley below, cliffs so steep it makes your head spin, untouched ruins that beg to be explored, blues and greens that take your breath away. So surreal.

The day kept getting better- moment after moment of gorgeous, breathtaking views! It was so tranquil and peaceful; the world felt so quiet, as if time were standing still. What is amazing is that the ruins were only discovered in 1911, and at that time they were completely untouched. The city is one of the only sites that wasn't destroyed by the conquering Spaniards, which I am so grateful for. It was truly one of the most unforgettable days of my life.

"Sexy Woman" and Downhill Adventures!

The past two days we have spent enjoying the beautiful city of Cusco. The city is so full of history and culture, it is a challenge to drag yourself away at night to sleep. Yesterday we explored the Incan ruins called Saqsaywaman. At breakfast, with me not yet knowing our day's agenda, my dad said, "I'm really excited to go see 'sexy woman' (Saqsaywaman) today!" It gave us all a good laugh!

The Saqsaywaman ruins are on the mountains above Cusco and feature three-tiered defense walls made of limestone and volcanic rock. The structure was considered by some a fortress and to others, a place of worship. The stones used in the construction of the three terraces are said to be among the largest used in any building in prehispanic America. I was in awe of the precise placement of each stone! The stones are so closely spaced that not even a single piece of paper could fit between them. The largest stone is estimated to weigh between 128 to 200 TONS! It is truly a work of art!



Locals enjoying the Festival

One of the things I am learning very quickly about Peru is that every day is an adventure. After a wonderful tour of Saqsaywaman, we crammed into our small, beat-up, barely held together taxi and decided it was time for a delicious lunch in Cusco. The driver turns the key in the ignition and... nada. Let me just paint this picture: A mountain, a one-lane road leading down (with no guard rails, of course) buses, other cars, stray dogs, small children, and four gringos packed into a MUCH too small taxi that won't start. Quite the dilemma... but do not fear, Miguel, our driver is here! He quickly jumped out of the car and does a seven-point turn, in neutral, to move the car without hitting any other objects. Perfect, we are now facing down the mountain, in neutral, in a car that may or may not start. My dad jumps out to help push the car downward and once we strted rolling, he and the driver try to cram back in, nearly missing and/or losing a leg! Once rolling, the driver turned the key and voila! The car started! The best part was watching all of the locals' faces as we almost rolled off the mountain. Pure delight on their eyes, haha! We proceeded to head down to Cusco and enjoy an afternoon filled with more sightseeing!



Anniversary Festival

My favorite part of traveling is the spontaneity; the ability to change your schedule whenever you desire.  Our last day in Cusco we planned to see the museums, churches, and historical buildings.  As we walked down the steep hill from our hotel to the Plaza de Armas, we heard loud music, laughing, and cheering.  It turns out it was an anniversary festival!  (We couldn't figure out what anniversary was for, but as my sister says, Peruvians love to celebrate, so it didn't matter!)  There was a parade of dancers performing dances specific to their region of Cusco.  They were dressed in their beautiful native clothing with not a cloud in the sky (at 10,912 feet = very intense sun!).  It was such an amazing sight.  Vendors sold hats, umbrellas, ice cream, watermelon, and a frozen treat called Marcianos, which are flavored frozen cream sold in plastic baggies.  Children ran around, dancing to the music, their chins dripping with ice cream.  Meanwhile, my family stood in awe of all the photo opportunities (if you know my Dad, he was in heaven!).  I probably took 200 pictures alone.  It was a photographer's paradise and an amazing cultural experience. We did make it to a couple museums, but nothing compared to the festival!  

Pictures of the Sacred Valley

Pisac Ruins

An amazing view!

Awana Kancha Alpaca Farm

The Sacred Valley

After a restless night, we all woke up feeling horrible!  The altitude is definitely taking it's toll.  Raging headaches, nausea, body aches, trouble breathing... not fun! We didn't let that stop us from enjoying the beautiful day, instead we ventured to into the Sacred Valley to the quaint village of Pisac.  Pisac is situated on the bank of the Urubamba River in the middle of the Andes.  Red clay buildings are nestled alongside the river with the ancient Inca ruins of Pisac set high above. 

Every Sunday, there is famous market with vendors selling high quality handmade goods and fresh produce.  The locals wear their traditional hand-woven clothing and it is not uncommon to see small goats running about! The sun was shining with not a cloud to be seen.  Absolutely beautiful.  We spent hours browsing and taking pictures of the colorful market.&nbsp

Our day continued with a drive to the Pisac ruins.  The ruins are known for its small, intricately placed stones that fit perfectly together. The ancient craftsmanship rivals that of even the magnificent Machu Picchu.  It was breathtaking.  After another scary drive where we barely escaped head-on collisions with other cars, children and stray dogs... we arrived back in Cusco just in time for a beautiful sunset.  The days just keep getting better.  I hope all is well with you!

Simply BreathLESS!

Cusco, Peru:

A city with so much culture, history, and beauty. It was one of the two imperial capitals of the Americas at the start of the Spanish conquest. Cusco has been an area of conquest for centuries between the Spanish and Inca cultures.  The city itself still has a lot of Spanish influence with the quaint stone alleys and baroque churches. However, the villagers still wear their colorful Inca native dressings.

 Cusco is a stunning city that literally takes your breath away! Mainly because it is sits high in the mountains at 10,912 feet! Talk about short, shallow breaths. Whew! Immediately upon landing today, I could feel the effects! We walked up three flights of stairs and had to stop for rest in between. Altitude sickness, or soroche, is a big problem for tourists- it includes high fevers, shortness of breath, fatigue, tachycardia, headaches, and other horrible symptoms. Extreme altitude sickness can lead to pulmonary or cerebral edema! Unfortunately there is no way to prevent it, except for Peruvians sware by the infamous Mate de Coco. Hopefully it works for all of us.  I think we'll acclimatize in no time!

Amber and I in Cusco, Peru

Today we spent most of the day relaxing in our hotel, drinking Mate while looking out at the city. We walked around the city, enjoying the beautiful Plaza de Armas, or city square.  It was an overload of photo opportunities!  The cathedral, convent,  baroque buildings and the gorgeous native people were an amazing sight to see.  We ended the night with a delicious dinner at Pacha Papa (Translation: Potato of the Earth) where I had the most amazing quinoa and potato soup of my life.  Quinoa is considered a sacred grain to the Incans and is one of the most protein-rich grains in the world. I also learned that there are over 300 types of potatoes here! So far, the food has yet to disappoint me and I haven't gotten "Montezuma's Revenge." According to Amber, it will happen.  I'll just enjoy the food for now and hope I don't get sick!  

Lessons Learned in Lima...

Here are my lessons learned today:

1.) Riding in a car with a Peruvian driver = scary.  Crossing a street while trying to avoid being hit by a Peruvian driver= even scarier!

2.) Owls are a symbol of good luck here.  After explaining to my cab driver where I was from, he proceeded to ask if there were owls there.

3.) It is normal to have Guinea Pig for lunch. No big deal. (No, I could not bring myself to try it!)

4.) Be careful while running on cobblestone or you will trip and fall on your face.  (Yes, I did do this.)

5.) Peruvians LOVE mayonnaise. On just about everything! Care for a little mayo on your salad? No?!

6.) Catacombs are amazing! I had the opportunity to stand among 100,000 bodies with no barrier between myself and mass amounts of femurs, skulls, humerus bones, etc.

7.) A common remedy for almost everything is Mate de Coco, a delicious tea that is illegal in the United States. Come to find out it is actually made from cocaine leaves. I think I had four cups today! Don't worry, they say it's only 0.4% cocaine.

8.) Stop signs, crosswalks, traffic lights, and blinkers are more of a general suggestion than a law. (See number one for more information.)

9.) Inca Cola is the number one drink of choice here. Every store, stand, billboard advertises the neon yellow soda. To see what the fuss is about, I tried it today. It was essentially like liquid bubble gum. I think I'll stick to water for now!

10.) The sky in Lima can turn shades of pink, purple, red, and orange. We saw the most stunning sunset over the Plaza de Armas tonight. An amazing end to an amazing day!

An Adventure Begins...

36 hours passed, four plane rides taken, two books read, innumerable cups of tea consumed, and one broken rib later... I arrived in Peru!  I truly love to travel, but I vow to never travel again while injured.  Lifting a gigantic backpack was not fun!  I survived nonetheless and, with all considered, it was one of the most flawless trips I've ever made! I met my parents in the Miami Airport (yay!) and we continued on our adventure to the Lima airport. The sun was just coming up as we landed (for the second since leaving the Anchorage Airport!) and as the morning fog lifted, we were able to see amazing cliffs extending into the Pacific Ocean.  I had no idea how stunning Lima was going to be!

Cliffs of Lima

We spent most of the day exploring the city and scoping out activities to do with Amber after she arrives tomorrow.  I can't wait to see her!  Six months is entirely too long without my big sis.  After a day of walking, I pulled out my running shoes and ran along the beautiful coast. As much as I have loved running in the break-up slush of Anchorage, it was definitely the most breathtaking run I've had in a while!  If you know me, you know there is no better way to end a fabulous day than with a run.

We will spend one more day in Lima, then we are off to Cusco and Machu Picchu.  I am so blessed to be able to share this amazing experience with my family, and hopefully you can all enjoy my many adventures and stories in the next 6 weeks!