So! Second day. It was good because I got a full, restful night of sleep (except those couple times some of the other volunteers were up and louding. You do you guys) and we did some walking after breakfast. We walked and bought things with money at a market that was about 10 minutes away from where we're staying. I met more people! People are basically in and out a bunch here as this is a base site for Máximo Nivel for them to send volunteers to the Andes or Jungle or....places (how ominous huh?). But in all seriousness I will gush forever about how awesome Máximo Nivel is, they are legit and responsible and great and I love them. Also major props and gushing to IVHQ for organizing this and keeping in touch with me too. LOVE ALL OF YOU!
Gushing/product placement aside I do feel really excited to be here with all these different people-it's also nice because it reaffirms the idea that yeah, people are good and interesting and lovely. Not just the other volunteers and staff but also people in general. Of course there have been some creepers but they seem to know to no me jobas. Have fun translating that and famfam I learned that from Máximo Nivel so I can use it. Hopefully I won't have to use it!
The orientation was Awesome. Yeah. Because not only did they tell us basic info about Perú, IVHQ, Máximo Nivel and the general expectations we can have for our programs they talked about sexual assault and how it can happen to men. Yeah, men and women who believe rape isn't something that happens to men, men CAN get raped. The presentation also included the fact that the people who sexually assault others are close to their victims and we were told to be wary of our "friends." Of course there are ways the sexual assault part could've been better but my expectations aren't that high. Because 'merica.
There were also general safety rules, like the best way not to get robbed and how you can stow away your belongings at Máximo Nivel for safe keeping if necessary. The presentation was about an hour long total but there was an extra 20 minutes for medical volunteers like moi. And then I took the Spanish placement test so I will hopefully be starting that soon like....next week! There was also a building tour and a little tour of the area surrounding Máximo Nivel's office. It was awesome, questions are encouraged and I feel like I will always have a ton of them.
After orientation I was so tired I had to go back "home." But I may go out tonight before my 7 a.m. site visit tomorrow, hopefully I'll get to bed by midnight. Anyways....
Until next time!
-Syd
Some things I wish I had known: bring scrubs that aren't white, maroon, turqoise or some other color. I think blue are okay, there's a color system where the colors indicate what kind of practitioner you are. But also, they have scrubs here sooooooo you could potentially wait to get scrubs.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Touchdown in Cusco (first day was 05.06.2017)
I think the hardest part of the trip so far has been dealing with the anticipation of what's to come tomorrow and for the rest of my trip. Of course, the ride to the airport in Lima from Surco didn't completely help and getting to my gate to Cusco was troublesome because it unexpectedly changed. WHOOPS.
Thankfully all of my fears-thus far- have been allayed since the moment I got to Maximo Nivel's main office in Cusco (Peru, just in case anyone's not sure, I've 100% been that person before). All of the staff, volunteers and taxi people have been fantastic, friendly, and supportive. I even chatted with the taxi driver on my way to the office! IN SPANISH. AND I UNDERSTOOD WORDS. SPANISH WORDS. I feel so accomplished sometimes. You multilingual people, I envy you.
The staff were friendly and able to give me some basic information about where I'm living, what I'll have to do to get ready for the week and just information my family felt better about having. When I got to the homestay my host mother was (and continues to be) a great host and person and feeds me and everything and is just so nice.
After I got settled I did some talking+bonding with a few of the other volunteers and we walked around Cusco after drinking some Mate de Coca-or Coca tea- that does a great deal to keep altitude sickness symptoms at bay. Also, getting used to being breathless has been happening. Trying to walk AND talk is hard guys, and not getting enough oxygen does not help with altitude sickness. Acclimation can take days or weeks so I will probably have to get used to being breathless from walking up hill after....five steps?
I could've taken it easy but CUSCO GUYS. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. And the people who sell things can be slightly overwhelming (some harass people nonstop, some are passive) the landscape and the markets are fun to see and walk around in. And we all had dinner together, people had been traveling/come from around the world. France, Canada, the U.S., New Zealand (fantastic accents, second to Irish for me) and other nationalities are definitely #represented here.
Things I wish I had known for my first day here: you'll have some help carrying luggage but you may have to walk up steps to get to your room. Just, wear sunscreen. All the time. Also wear layers! It's nice in the sun but cool inside/in the shade and when it gets cloudy. Try to get MAPS.Me and download the map for Cusco that day because walking around is fun. Oh! And those ladies who get you to take pictures with the al pacas? It's acceptable to give them 1 sol, I mean, more is always better but I'm on a budget guys.
Until next time!
-Syd
Thankfully all of my fears-thus far- have been allayed since the moment I got to Maximo Nivel's main office in Cusco (Peru, just in case anyone's not sure, I've 100% been that person before). All of the staff, volunteers and taxi people have been fantastic, friendly, and supportive. I even chatted with the taxi driver on my way to the office! IN SPANISH. AND I UNDERSTOOD WORDS. SPANISH WORDS. I feel so accomplished sometimes. You multilingual people, I envy you.
The staff were friendly and able to give me some basic information about where I'm living, what I'll have to do to get ready for the week and just information my family felt better about having. When I got to the homestay my host mother was (and continues to be) a great host and person and feeds me and everything and is just so nice.
After I got settled I did some talking+bonding with a few of the other volunteers and we walked around Cusco after drinking some Mate de Coca-or Coca tea- that does a great deal to keep altitude sickness symptoms at bay. Also, getting used to being breathless has been happening. Trying to walk AND talk is hard guys, and not getting enough oxygen does not help with altitude sickness. Acclimation can take days or weeks so I will probably have to get used to being breathless from walking up hill after....five steps?
I could've taken it easy but CUSCO GUYS. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. And the people who sell things can be slightly overwhelming (some harass people nonstop, some are passive) the landscape and the markets are fun to see and walk around in. And we all had dinner together, people had been traveling/come from around the world. France, Canada, the U.S., New Zealand (fantastic accents, second to Irish for me) and other nationalities are definitely #represented here.
Things I wish I had known for my first day here: you'll have some help carrying luggage but you may have to walk up steps to get to your room. Just, wear sunscreen. All the time. Also wear layers! It's nice in the sun but cool inside/in the shade and when it gets cloudy. Try to get MAPS.Me and download the map for Cusco that day because walking around is fun. Oh! And those ladies who get you to take pictures with the al pacas? It's acceptable to give them 1 sol, I mean, more is always better but I'm on a budget guys.
Until next time!
-Syd
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)