Hello from Arequipa, Peru Day 1 and 2

My first blog from Mission Guest House in Arequipa Peru! Our travels on Saturday into Sunday was all on time and no issues along the way. We started with sleep depravation going into this trip (due to packing and some more packing( and that is not recommended. So we were both very tired which made our first day in Arequipa hard but we did it. Father Alex and Bob met us at the airport and brought his to the guest house. After unpacking and taking a quick nap, there was breakfast. Then off to church. There was a guest priest, Father Don, who said mass with Father Alex. The church was packed and many were standing too. The culture in Peru is to greet each person and we greeted most of them when they left. The greeting is a handshake with a kiss on the right check saying Buenos Dias. It was a very special event. Then we decided to walk to downtown Arequipa for lunch. Half way down we planned to take a compi. That is a small van that holds 10 people and in Peru, the more the better. We had 26 in there at one time. Lunch was great and then we toured the monasterio Santa Catalina. Many pictures and stories on that when we get home. I could not wait for bed, but had dinner and then bed…I slept like a rock. Then up for a 6 am run. Talk about hills, that is all there is and they are big and steep. 48 minutes later, I was glad to get back for breakfast. I felt good and not altitude sickness. I was happy about that. Drinking lots of Gatorade.

Today, I saw patients in the morning and afternoon. Some CP, some back patients, shoulder with trigger points, and Tanya, the little boy with the toe crossing. His toes would not cross when walking barefoot. I suggested to have the child see PT for more LE work…it was smaller and atrophied. It was very interesting. The hard part was there was no plinth so having the backs and the other patients on the floor to do therapy was challenging. I am having Jim make some benches so working with the CP would be easier. Busy day. Now to prepare for the conference tonight. I hope to do better with quicker blogs.

Hope all is well at home. Janine and Jim