“Friends in your life are like pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up and sometimes they lean on you. Sometimes it's just enough to know they're standing by. - Elizabeth Foley
First of all, I must admit that I have majorly failed with keeping my blog updated. This last two weeks have been especially busy because we had our individual teaching presentations, our large (25-page paper + 30min presentation) aggregate project due, and a medical mission team visiting as well. We were all working 12 hour days in village clinics and in the OR helping with hernia surgeries, as we finished our projects and had final evaluations . I must admit we’re all extremely tired, but I really enjoyed working with and getting to know the phenomenal doctors, nurses, translators, and other helpers in this missionary group.
I honestly can’t believe that our 4 whirl-wind weeks in Piura are already over. This last month at Santísimo Sacramento was hands down the most rewarding and transformational experience of my life. I look forward to sharing more of my stories with family and friends when I return home, but there is a part of this experience that was so personal and entirely my own – words and pictures just can’t quite capture its essence. I am positive that a piece of my heart will always remain in Piura with my beloved friends and family, and I refused to say goodbye yesterday and this morning. After many tearful "hasta luegos" with my Piuran family, friends, and parish staff, we flew back into Lima this morning with empty bags (I left a lot of clothes, toiletries, and medical supplies for the parish to distribute) and hearts full of love.
After we arrived in Lima, we were met at the airport by a tour guide, who would be showing us around Lima for the afternoon. After we all threw our luggage in the back and piled in the van, our tour guide told us that our driver was “better than James Bond.” We soon found out that he really had to be with all of the crazy drivers! As we found out in Piura, there really are no rules to the road here in Peru. The traffic was unbelievable - there were tons of cars that were constantly switching lanes, street vendors, and people walking in between the cars on the tiny streets. While we drove and took in the city, we learned a lot about Peru’s capital, known as “The City of Kings.” There are about 29 million people that live in Peru and 30% of the population lives in Lima. We observed lots of balconies the many different styles of architecture – which has changed many times because of earthquake repairs. The city is right on the Pacific coast at the foothills of the Andes. The weather is usually very foggy and very humid, making asthma one of the leading health problems.
Our first stop was at a church dedicated to Santa Rosa – one of Lima’s 5 saints. Coincidentally, she is also the patron saint of nurses! It was very interesting to learn about her life in Lima, seeing the place were she was born, worked as a healer, and was originally buried. Before we left, we all threw our petitions into el Pozo de Santa Rosa.
Next we went to one of Lima’s many museums. We didn’t have time to tour the whole thing, but our tour guide took us to the archeology exhibit. We learned that there were actually 87 different cultures in Peru before the Incas, and we noted the differences between all the different artifacts.
For lunch we went to a small restaurant, Los Bolcones,” near the main square. They had a very large menu with lots of options – some people got the hamburgers they had been craving and I decided to go more traditional. I had fresh squeezed apple juice, papas rellenas (fried mash potatoes with meat and olives inside), and some grilled local fish. It was cheap and delicious, and we were largely entertained by the Peruvian soap operas and ’90’s American music playing in the background!
Next, we went to the Plaza de Armas – which is the location in which the city was founded. Surrounding the square is the Arch Bishop’s palace, the President’s home, a large cathedral, and a couple other governmental buildings. In the center of the square was a fountain, which our guide told us will be filled with Pisco (a popular Peruvian liquor) instead of water on July 28th, Peruvian’s Independence Day!
We ended up skipping the catacombs (unfortunately) because many of the girls in our group were tired and didn’t want to pay to get in. However, we finished off our afternoon by visiting Barranco - a quaint part of town that is right on a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean. We walked over the Bridge of Syes (sp?) which were were told is a romantic place for lovers. They say that the first time you visit, you’re supposed to make a wish and cross the bridge while holding your breath – if you make it across without breathing your wish will come true! The view was very pretty and we had a nice time talking with some of the local street vendors/hippies about their handmade artwork and living our lives with positive energy. One guy that we met even made Ellen & I pretty rings on the spot, por gratis. :)
We then headed back to the hostel for the night and said our goodbyes to Shannon, Hope, and Kat, who are heading back to the states tonight. We’re hoping to get to bed early tonight because we have taxis picking us up at 0500 to take us to the airport. Next stop: Cuzco!
Buenas noches,
<3 Lisa
p.s. I'll upload pictures hopefully when I have a better internet connection!
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