Last days in Peru

The sunsets in Peru have really lovely but it's difficult to be in the right (safe) place at the right time and having dinner prepared for us at 6.30pm (right on sunset) it can be tough to catch. This was taken one Sunday night in a taxi on the way back from the beach.

Most places in Peru have flush toilets but as the sewer system is so inufficient, you are unable to flush toilet paper down the toilet – not even in the airport! Everything gets popped into the dustbins provided next to the bowl. At least they flush right! :-)



My last day at the Wawa Wasi in Pachacutec was fantastic – we played with bubbles and I taught them Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Knees and Toes……. Bahaha – I can’t believe how much fun it was! The mamma in turn tried to teach me their version – oh boy, I am not a fast learner but the kids found it very amusing.



I decided to change my days and keptFriday free to help a couple of the teachers take the ‘top’ performing 4th Grade children (also from Pachacutec) to the Zoo. Really happy I did – they needed the help, I was able to take plenty of photos and the kids had the best day – having very few opportunities to ever do anything like this, it wasnt' surprising to hear many say it was the best day in their lives. It was also one of the longest bus trips a couple of the kids had ever taken. The journey was an hour and 15 min there and the same back. It could have been a combination of emotions and food (return trip) but 4 of the 10 kids threw up on the bus. No warning either – it was like a chain reaction.





On Saturday night we all went out for a night on the town. Megan, a volunteer who knows fluent Spanish and has been in Lima for a few months, knows a number of locals. One of those guys is Franco – he is friends with a couple of people in the entertainment business and was able to get our names on the most exclusive club in town – Gatica’s. Despite the salsa dancing (or lack of it in my case) we had a brilliant night. Having not been out in quite some time, I had a nanna nap in the afternoon and managed to see the entire night through. A lot of fun. Looking forward to going back there when I am next in lima.



Lidia’s (host mum) daughter and husband who now live in America, also have a charity in Columbia. They too are host families for IVHQ (volunteer organisation) and have ongoing volunteer programs. I am hoping that Columbia will be one of my next destinations.



Every Sunday Sole (house maid) has the day off so we make sandwiches for lunch and Lida orders Pizza for dinner. Last Sunday, we all decided to cook for the family - macarooni and cheese, bruchetta, salad and grilled marinated chicken then peanut butter filled/chocolate covered pretzels, home made apple pie and ice cream for dessert. It was a great success - we cooked for 21 people. Fantastic, we were all super happy.

I serioulsy can't believe I leave in just a couple of days.. grateful I will be returning before my flight back to Australia. Will be wonderful to see the kids and family again.

Brazil - here I come!!!!!!

My day typically starts at 7.15 for breakfast and out the door by 7.45. If I am in Pachacutec, Wawa Wasi (baby house) we catch the public bus and the journey takes about an hour and 15 minutes. We generally arrive just in time to help finish feeding the children breakfast - I usually feed Andrea. I am always greeted at the door with shouts of ‘Buenos Diaz or Hola Natarsha’ whether they have food stuffed in their mouths or not. Andrea is blind and so well behaved. It’s a bit of a struggle for her to feed herself on her own just yet and the training required is too great for the mother as her attention must be divided between all 8 children.



They usually finish breakfast by 9.40, we wash our hands and play until ‘Fruit’ time at 10.30. We peel and dice the fruit and what doesn’t land in their mouths, we scrape from the floor and throw away (unlike Kenya). It’s then play time again, usually with some dancing to music then lunch at 11.50. The children aren’t’ always hungry but we persist in encouraging them to finish as much as possible as they may not be receiving much dinner. We then wash them, change their clothes and pop them to bed. It’s typically around this time (approx. 1pm) that Paolo, our local coordinator, collects me. They all kiss me goodbye and sing ‘Ciao Natarsha….’ I love it! We then walk to collect other volunteers at other Wawa Wasi’s and bus it back for our own lunch – around 2.30pm. After lunch we make our way to either San Antonio’s to teach and play with the kids or the baby orphanage for feeding and changing.




This volunteering program has been very different to that in Kenya. Only being here a short while (3 weeks) my aim was to simply experience each placement and fight any urge to improve their systems. In Kenya I went nuts because the level of poverty everywhere was blinding and I felt that the people who really needed help were not receiving it. The situation in Peru is different. They do need help but the level and type of assistance required I feel is different. The greater population have homes and education but their ability to improve their home situation is limited. They feel isolated and ‘stuck’. It’s been difficult to identify where I would start if Peru was a place I would commit too in providing assistance. I believe it’s the physiological barrier that is the greater problem as most families do have the basics. I would definitely concentrate my energy on Pachacutec where the level of unemployment is high and home situation desolate.

The 3 government funded orphanages (Semillitas, San Antonio and Divino Jesus) clearly have the equipment and resources to make it a functional and well looked after program – they do however need help with staffing and providing as much love and affection as possible. Most of the children are unable to successfully feed or care for themselves properly, so meal times it is a very demanding event.




Public transport in Peru has been interesting. One of our drivers went cross country over kerbs and footpaths in peak hour and hit a pole.

I have visited the San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs – having never experienced Catacombs first hand before, I was not only intrigued but very impressed – it was hard to believe the mountains of bones were real. It holds incredible history. The Church library was like nothing I had seen before either, disappointed that photos were strictly not allowed.

As luck would have it – the very weekend I arrived in Lima, the city was boasting their Peruvian version of the Oktoberfest. Less than 3 weeks after experience the ‘real’ one in Munich for the first time, I found myself standing at the giant beer structure looking into the only tent they had on offer. It looked amazing – the beer was flowing, German food plentiful and tables full of drunken dancers. Yes the Peruvians sure know how to party!!!

The beaches close to where we are staying in San Miguel are not at all nice. They are polluted, smell, full of rubbish and house many homeless people. I was shocked to witness a part of the world that could easily boast paradise. After witnessing that, it was equally as shocking to learn that not even 20 South of this mess is the beautiful seaside of Mira Flores. The coastline is stunning and people were bathing like the beaches at home. It is a very pretty part of Lima and home to many millionaires. When you know where to look, there are many beautiful parts to this city.




Unlike Kenya, it is difficult to communicate in Peru as very few people speak English. I have had 3 Spanish lessons which I have found challenging. It is going to take a lot more practice than I had hoped or anticipated. I am hoping by the end of my time in South America, I will be able to at least communicate at a basic level.

The Inka Markets here are amazing, a few bartering skills make it a very fun experience. You can literally pick up anything – I adore their clothes and handmade leather trinkets.

The hospitality where the volunteers are housed is extraordinary. We receive 3 meals a day and they are exceptional – mostly traditional Peruvian dishes. There is not one thing in the last 3 weeks that I have not thoroughly enjoyed. The only thing I am looking forward to when leaving here will be to lose a bit of weight. It has been way too easy to over indulge. I will otherwise miss it terribly. It has truly been an amazing experience and living with 10 other women has been incredible. We all get along remarkably well. I will miss them. I will miss this house. So much for a bikini body for Brazil. 

I am happy to report that the charity ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ is still moving in the direction of gaining full charity status. It has been a lengthy process, but thanks to Michelle Anderson of Complete The Look Events, it is still happening…. She has been absolutely monumental in this whole entire process, there is absolutely no way this could have happened without her. Even with me on the other side of the world, Michelle is managing to keep things moving – Michelle, thank you!! Fingers crossed we receive positive news soon. And if her business, a new baby and following up charity status is not enough, Michelle is also managing to coordinate a charity event to raise money for That’s What Friends Are For – if you are on the Sunshine Coast on the 17th of November and enjoy the Twilight Series please support the movie premier of the first instalment of Breaking Dawn. For full details, please visit my Facebook page or contact Michelle Anderson on 0422 356 422.



Last week I did my first (and last!) salsa dance class. Most of the girls I live with do them 3 times a week and are remarkably talented. I on the other hand have 2 left feet and found the whole experience quiet daunting. It was good for a laugh though.

Next week I am travelling to Brazil for 1 month for a holiday with a friend. From there I will travel to various other countries, where I will explore other volunteering opportunities before making my way back to Peru. A major goal for this entire trip was to experience third world countries and identify the potential for That’s What Friends Are For to work with existing or establish new projects. I am keeping an open mind.

Volunteer placements - Peru

My first impression of Peru was how I would have expected Mexico to look like. The desolate landscape, block style homes, catus plants and people - the way they dress and look.

My experience has been very different to volunteering in Kenya but equally amazing. The day I arrived, Lidia (our fantastic host mum) outlined that there were 4 different orphanage/school projects and that I would visit each one before deciding what my program would be. The joy of working here is the flexibility in times and placements. If we choose, we could mix and match the days and projects, which I did to experience each with my limited time. I will only spend 3 weeks in Peru before leaving for Brazil, but I will be back in January.



Three of the four placements are government funded making them a place that is very well equiped and cared for. The fourth is in a slum area an hour and a half out of Lima called Pachacutec (above). It covers a massive area and is divided into 4 sections. The one area we work in is home to 12 different Wawa Wasi's (baby homes). In each home there are 8 children and one carer looking after all of them. Most of these children have mothers but they are unable to feed or care for them properly.



The local charity organisation 'Tarpuy Sonqo' we work with are amazing. They have single handedly established these baby homes and arranged for their meals and necessary fundamental programs like basic hygene (washing their hands and brushing their teeth) and currently construction of a bathroom (photo with some children, mamma and Lidia).



I enjoy helping out in each of the placements, but there are 2 I am definitely drawn to. The baby houses at Pachacutec (toddlers) and the baby babies at Divino Jesus - oh my gosh, they are so perfectly teeny, rounds and sooooo squeezable I never want to put them down. Some literally days old - thier umbilical cord is still healing.



Pachautec is also the only place they allow photos to be taken. The videos below are a rare occasion where we could film due to the official opening of their new dental clinic. The kids are beautiful and very well cared for. Their ailments vary significantly - blindness, pralasiation, water on the brain, down syndrome, cerebal palsy and many more disabilites they dont' have names for. There are numerous therapy rooms catering for speech, the senses, physiotherapy and limb massage.



If our spanish language is poor (and mine is!!), we are sometimes limited to the rooms we can help in, but we are welcomed to help out in all - especially at feeding time. The director, of INABIF was there for the opening which made it a big deal. The photo of the volunteers with the director and report of the opening can be found here; http://www.inabif.gob.pe/portalweb/noticia.php?n=edf4371b4715f3185e543cfa6c1c956e&i=1 and a radio announcement (in spanish) of the day can also be found here; http://willax.tv/seguridad/nuevo-consultorio-odontologico-para-ninos-discapacitados

The young lady in the below video is Carla, she has autism and was the very first patient to the Dental Clinic. Both the doctor and nurse were gentle and nurturing - they kept reassuring her through the process and blowing her kisses.

SOUTH AMERICA - Peru!!

Oh my gosh - I'm in Lima and absolutely loving it. My first few days here have been working in a baby orphanage in San Miguel - they are absolutely adorable and so easy to love. Unfortunately they don't allow photos to be taken of the children but I have others I can post soon. Just wanted to let everyone know I arrived safely.

I am so very happy to be here. :-)

MUNICH - OKTOBERFEST


What an absolute blast this was. I honestly dreaded the thought of fighting our way to Munich when mum suggested we make the trip up there. Having the car has been a blessing but it can also be difficult with directions (why didn’t I get a GPS!?!?) and finding parking.

We checked out of our wonderful apartment on Thursday around noon and slowly made our way to Germany via Austria and Liechtenstein (a teeny country I visited for the first time here). We got to Liechtenstein late afternoon and went walking. We come across the loveliest little stream and found a great restaurant at the foot of their castle. It is such a clean, friendly little place and because of its size, easy to navigate around also. We left at around 9pm and headed for Munich in search of a quiet parking bay to spend the night.


We woke up around 7am to a fog filled car and got ready for a busy day. We had a brilliant run through and headed straight for the nearest train station. We were parked and on the train before 10am. The first sight of the Oktoberfest was super exciting – we power walked our way to the entrance like children and spent the first hour walking around in awe. It is absolutely massive!! I have to say that it is by far the best fun park (other than Disneyland Anaheim) I have ever been to. The atmosphere was like nothing I had experienced and the rides were brilliant - as good (possibly better but that may also be the beer) as the major theme parks in Australia.

I could only manage 1 and a half pints of beer before I had to stop – I should have had more practise! I was drunk by 1pm and spent the entire day/night on top of the world. We managed to find mum a couple of baileys and we were skipping through the crowd. We tried every German food we could find and popped our heads into every tent (sooooo many of them). You never had to travel very far to find the local ambulance busy picking up the wounded – all of whom had passed out and had lost all ability to function at all.


The costumes were outstanding – we were amazed by how many people wore them and couldn’t stop staring in admiration for the tiny women who carry the 10-12 steins. I was so side tracked (again it must have been the beer) I even forgot to take a photo.

Just on sunset, I left mum standing by the side of a stall why I fought the crowds looking for an entrance to a tent that had traditional yodelling. Less than 10 min later I found her with a grin from one end of the festival to the other and a massive love heart gingerbread in her hand. Some random guy saw her standing there and either felt sorry for what looked like a lost little child or simply tired of carrying this treat and handed it to mum. She was tickled pink and carried it around for days until I made her throw it out before boarding our plane to Scotland. I know!!!!!


Even more amazing was when we left after dark around 9pm. We were about 100m from the entrance when these cute guys approached mum and popped a hat on her head. Not knowing what they were doing, she took it off and looked a little distressed at these strangers in the dim light. They were sweet and said they wanted to give a little something to someone special – they had just been waiting for the right person. When mum felt the traditional hat and saw the photos I took – her reaction was priceless. It actually looks like it has been passed down for generations. Dad swears he is going to stretch the darn thing until it fits his own. Super nice gesture and hat. No better way to top off the perfect day!!!


Mum would say the best bit was at the end watching drunk people trying to stable themselves on a fast moving conveyer belt, only to spend the trip on their backside (this seriously was hilarious) I’d say the best part was the rides and watching mum experience something so damn big and exciting for the first time. We had an absolute ball.


SWITZERLAND


After 2 night drives to Munich and back and spending each night in the car, we made our way back to Switzerland, this time Lauterbrunnen. We stayed at this beautiful hostel at the foot of Staubbach waterfall. I had spent almost 2 weeks searching for somewhere in Switzerland that did yodelling but had NO luck. By absolute fluke, on the night we were in Lauterbrunnen and after asking around, mum found out that there was the yearly folk music festival being held at the local school up the mountain in Wengen that very night. Can you believe it!! Mum was in her element listening to their traditional music incorporating yodelling and she was all teary with joy bopping along to words we couldn’t understand. Mum (of course) made friends with the local yodelling teams (outside having a fag) and we made our way back on the last train close to midnight. Really wonderful night.


The next day we hiked around the local valley in the morning and late afternoon drove the short distance to Stechelberg. This is where we caught the cable car to the peak of the Schilthorn (2971m) which is famous for being the setting where the 007 classic, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed. Very cool. We had a coffee in their revolving restaurant on sunset and caught the last cable car back down. The scenery was breathtaking, you literally felt like you were on top of the world. We then made the sad journey crossing the Switzerland border en route to Paris.



FRANCE


Talk about an action packed week. We stayed a few days longer in Switzerland than thought as we loved it so much so our time in France was limited. After a day of hiking and site seeing around Lauterbrunnen, we made our way to the France border where we spent the night in the car. We woke early and headed for Paris – I had wanted to take mum to Moulin Rouge but didn’t risk booking tickets in advance as it was going to be an 8 hour journey without getting lost or heavy traffic. We actually made it on time but we were disappointed to learn that all 3 shows that night were booked out (the 3rd show less than 30min before). It wasn’t meant to be so we caught the underground and headed for the Eiffel Tower instead. It was just on dark and the very moment mum saw it, the lights were flashing – it literally took her breath away. It was also the first time I had seen it at night – simply beautiful. We caught the elevator to the top and just caught the last train back to our car just after midnight.




We then drove and found a quiet park to sleep (close to Euro Disney). The next morning I surprised mum with a day at Paris’s version of Disneyland. We were there from open to close. Another amazing day full of lots of fun and food – it is, after all, the happiest place on earth. We enjoyed the rides as much as the kids. Our day revolved around making it to the ‘thrilling’ rides and the longest we had to wait was a whole 15 min!!! All of the rides were great but we particularly liked the tea cups where you could spin the wheel in the centre to make you go faster and Tower of Terror - VERY unexpected. We also spent a few hours in Walt Disney Studios (like Universal Studios). Having been to Disney land in Anaheim in the US, these parks were considerably smaller but equally as fun. I never want to grow up. :-)



After a relaxing night, we headed in the direction of the airport, spent our last night in the car then the following day, we found a shower, re packed our bags and cleaned the car for our flight to Edinburgh. Oooohhhhh I’m excited…. I have a surprise for Mum!!

Our final week - UK

SCOTLAND


Now this was another fantastic part of the trip. Months ago I made a list of things I wanted to do with mum – I also asked her for a ‘wish list’. The only 2 countries she really wanted to visit was Switzerland and Scotland and if she could see a ‘real’ chalet in the Swiss mountains, listen to some yodelling and see a Lock (lake) in Scotland then that would be a dream…… Having made the massive effort to make it so far, I wanted to do something special. I had organised for us to stay 3 nights in a Castle – Knock Castle hotel and spa in Crieff. Mum has not complained once about our accommodation. She graciously stayed in share rooms and in the car to save on money and boy was it worth it. Perhaps it’s a country thing, but we often slept better in the car than in a bed.



We arrived late on Wednesday night and stayed in a little motel on the highway (bit cool for the car). After a nice little sleep in, we jumped in the car and I simply drove into the country side in the direction of Crieff. Mum had no idea and didn’t’ ask questions. She just thoroughly appreciated the green rolling hills and old fashioned stone walls and homesteads.

We then rocked up at the castle and I said ‘surprise’. She couldn’t believe it. And neither could I. This castle has only been operating as a hotel since 2007 and it is just as I had hoped. Actually it was better with the spa – so discrete and OMG amazing!!! I had also booked us into a day at the spa where our time there went something like this;


9am – stumble out of bed for breakfast on the rooftop
10.00am – put on our dressing gowns and slippers provided by the hotel and made our way down to the ‘relaxation room’ to completely chill out in anticipation of our first treatment
11.00am – we both had massages
12.00pm – 2 course Table de Hote meal in the roof top restaurant with a glass of wine
2.00pm – back to the relaxation room for a spot of reading and closing of the eyes to the music and sound of running water
3.00pm – second treatment, facial and exfoliation massage
4.45pm – when we woke up (on the massage table) ….. we slowly come to life in the relaxation room and decided to watch a movie in their cinema – Out of Africa.
7.00pm – upstairs to get changed for dinner then pre dinner drinks in the bar
8.00pm – dinner in the restaurant
9.30pm – what the hell.., another movie in the cinema – The Constant Gardener.
11.00pm – perfect nights rest and sleep in ……


I have never indulged like this and thought a lot about it before deciding to jump in and it was absolutely brilliant. I would recommend everyone do it at least once. I was ready for Peru before but I am biting at the seams to get into work again now. Only 3 more sleeps until Peru!


It was so funny – mum didn’t know what to do. The therapists were terrific and just took control making us feel so welcome, relaxed and fantastic. Don’t know that I would do it again anytime soon but I would highly recommend it. Everything was luxurious from the the room (adorned with robe, slippers and scottish butter biscuites) to the restaurant, castle library, pool/spa/sauna/gym and full CD library. The staff were outstanding and even though the hotel was fully booked on Saturday night (a whole 20 rooms) we barely saw a soul.



The entire 4 day experience in the castle was sensational. We even wore our robes to breakfast! When we werne't by the pool, having treatment or eating, we were lounging in the library or out for a wander in the neighbouring valley with its literally breathtaking views. What more can I say…. Very relaxed and revitalised. And good thing we are….



Today is Sunday and as I write this we are sitting in Crieff hospital waiting for someone to see mum. She is ok, but with a wee bit of pain in her abdominal area. She can’t sit, stand, walk or lie comfortably. And we have an 8+ hour drive to London in front of us…… oh boy.

The nurse sent us to Perth hospital to see a doctor (about 25 min away) and mum was given a couple of prescriptions for a pretty nasty infection. She experiences the least amount of pain when she walks slowly – it will be a slow, limited drive down south with regular stops until the antibiotics kick in. If only we didn’t have to be in the London for the flight. :-( Can hardly believe our trip together is almost at its end.




LONDON



This city has long been one of my most least favourite cities. It’s busy, cold (in both meanings of the word) and expensive. This trip has made me think differently. The weather was sunny and pleasant, the people nice and excursion great.



I decided to take mum on a tour to see all the sites and receive a detailed description on each (something I was unable to do in 1 day). Our accommodation is located very close to Heathrow airport so the hike into town by underground took almost an hour.



The few things mum wanted to do and see included;
Standing in a red phone box
See the Thames river
Ride a red double decker bus
See the London Bridge and
Walk around Buckingham Palace



We managed to do all these and more. The journey into to the centre of London (Picadilly Circus) tooks us almost an hour on the tube. We entertained ourselves by identifying all the names on the train line that are on the manolopy board game. Fun times.



We arrived into town, grabbed our tickets and jumped on the red double decker tour bus for an awesome fully guided adventure. It took us all afternoon but we saw more in 4 hours than I saw in 3 days. It really was terrific. We saw the impressive London Eye (massive ferris wheel), Trafalgar Square, Downing Street (where the President lives), Big Ben, Leicester Square, Saint Pauls' Cathedral, Hampton Court Place, Westminster Abbey and caught a ferry on the River Thames.

We had traditional Fish and Chips for lunch and had a magnificent pub meal for dinner. It was an action packed day. I can now see why so many Australians and people from all over the world enjoy living in working in this oversized city. I would happily return.



Even though mum was still feeling very uncomfortable from her nasty infection, she soldiered on like a trooper and made the very most of the day. Please know she is doing ok and thank you all so much for your concerns.

We packed our bags that night and headed for the airport early. We slept like babies. It was nice to be in a bed.

Our last journey together was in Kenya 2010 (also in this blog) so this trip has been a very different experience for mum. She has been able to fulfill a dream of visiting Switzerland and Scotland and she has had a blast experiencing the diverse cultures. It has been a wonderful 6 weeks, so happy to have experienced it with Mum. No doubt we will be planning our next adventure soon....

Here I go, here I go, here I go...

I am sitting in JFK airport en route to Lima, Peru. I am tired but I can’t possibly sleep. I have waited for what feels like decades to make it to South America. In less than 40 hours I will begin working with an Orphanage based in San Miguel. 4 hours 12 min until I can board the flight…..

I am still working post detailing the last 2 weeks I had with mum. Must focus and finish it... :-) We had a teary farewell earlier today. It has been such a treat sharing Europe with her and I miss not having her with me. Albiet busy, Europe was a great break but I’m really ready to get my hands dirty again.

Something has been drawing me to South America / Brazil for quite some time. I am not sure why but I’m ridiculously excited to get there and experience this diverse and challenging continent. I will be in Peru for 3 weeks before flying to meet a friend in Brazil for the month of November. Is there a better way to see the world than through volunteering and catching up with friends/family. I doubt it!!!! Ooooohhhhhh 3 more hours till I board the flight for Lima now. I’M EXCITED!!!!

Still recovering from Oktoberfest....

AND Eurodisney in France! :-) For a once in a lifetime trip for us we really are making the most of our wee adventure. Loooovvvvveeeeee the Tea Cups!!! Leia and Rob - WHERE WERE YOU!?!?!?!







Mum at Oktoberfest - It was around midday, I had had my first beer (mum had a sip, haha she is NOT a beer drinker) and we were feeling great.....



We are heading to Scotland tonight for the last leg of our journey. Will post a detailed entry from there. Be warned - it will be a long one..






Stay safe and happy. We are! X