I just realized the other day that it has been quite a while since I have updated this blog. It is my last week here in Cusco and I have been doing extra lessons to prepare for my field work and keeping somewhat busy. On the weekend we went out for dinner with some students from the spanish school (one from Switzerland, one from Japon and two from London) and a bunch of the spanish teachers. For some reason our destination was put in my hands so I brought them to a restuarant that Michelle and I discovered and quickly became a favourite for the two of us and for Kris after he arrived. The owner´s were quite happy with us that we brought such a big group and we were treated to wonderful service and great food. After dinner, the spanish teachers went one by one into the bathroom and I finally figured out that they were impressed by it´s decorations! I have to admit, Michelle and I were also impressed as it was the nicest bathroom we had seen in Peru. The spanish teachers were just floored though by the straw floor and glass sink. Quite comical to think a bathroom could impress so much! After dinner, the teachers decided to go dancing and while it would have been a blast, all of the students were exhausted and we all made our way home.
The rest of the week has been spent making arrangements to return to Lima so that Kris can fly home next week and I can fly to Chiclayo. Finding a place to stay in Chiclayo has been a challenge, but thankfully I have the help of my spanish teacher here who has been a life saver for communication. Things seem to be coming together for my arrival in Chiclayo in terms of the research. Isabel at PROASSA has been working hard to arrange things for me and find me a translator. I was also in touch with a woman who used to work at Planet Bean and is now in Peru. She is thinking of coming down to Chiclayo for a week or so and has offered to help me out with things. I´m not sure what I can have her doing since her spanish is worse than mine, but it will be good to have some gringo company for awhile.
Kris had a case of the Peruvian dose yesterday and spent the day close to the toilet. He´s feeling better today thankfully. We are both counting down the days until we leave this city, which will be on Sunday. We are going to spend a couple days in Lima, with Kris flying to Canada at 1:30am on Tuesday morning. We booked a hostal in Lima and we are crossing our fingers that there will be hot water. At the very least our room has wi-fi, so I might be able to download some movies to keep me occupied on my off nights in Chiclayo….. also, there is a McDonalds in Lima….. ahhh…the comforts of a city…
