Pills and co.

I never imagined blogging about the rowdy scene inside a Peruvian doctor's waiting room, but imaginable circumstances have granted me this special insight. I fell ill on Friday, first a common but violent stomach bug. It slowly generated into a cough, cold, fever, shivers, nausea, dizziness and general incapacity to do anything. So I finally decided to get an appointment with the doctor who visits the kids where I work-- so, yes, a pediatrician. It had been a while.

As in the majority of places, the benches were filled with unwell kids and anxious parents. Oh, and the well siblings who had discovered the candy sold in the waiting room. Incongruity number one-- if you wanted a chocolate bar to assist your lengthy wait, just go up to the nurse with your coins. But she may be too busy watching the telenovela projected in their little office. That said, Pedro's moving ploy to win Francesca back was quite captivating.

The staff was actually extremely efficient and capable despite the seeming lack of order. I have an acute sinusitis, former stomach bug and skin rash from the dust here. As we're changing seasons, the nights are extremely dry and many other have fallen sick as well. I'm still not thumping with energy, but am casting my vote in a fix before I feel like I really won't have contributed any work here.

Overheard in Ayacucho

As I was walking home from-- where else -- the pharmacy, a few kids approach me: "Could you use this bamboo stick to help us make that fruit fall from the tree?"

Lost in Translation

Fellow volunteer, about her childhood: Cuando era niño...
Erm, that would be niña.

Vocabulario

LECHE DE TIGRE-- Tiger milk, anyone? Sorry to disappoint, but this juice contains neither milk nor tiger. It's lime juice-based, and used in ceviche, the national seafood dish.
CHINO/A, CHINITO/A-- Chinese, or little Chinese. It doesn't matter if your ancestors hail from Japan or Indonesia, if you have a trace of Asia still visible, your nickname is predestined. The term definitely does not have the pejorative connotations that it has in many other languages.

The wisdom is on the wall

"We don't know each other."

Power of la pelota

On Friday, when strolling around Ayacucho, I spotted the panini sticker collection album for the World Cup 2010 on sale. I know, it's lame. But I bought it, and suddenly at least seven little kids came rushing down and asked if they could stick the photos in for me. Of course I let them-- but also teased them a little as Peru didn't qualify. It was truly hilarious as the swarm seemed to emerge out of nowhere.

Marketed prison

The artisan market of Ayacucho is housed in an ancient prison, that has been significantly spruced up since its former usage. There are still towering iron gates and high walls, but the alpaca ponchos are definitely new. That said, I could possibly pass an eternity meandering through the stalls...