Sickness in Peru: Take Four

Welp—we’ve survived another week in Huanuco; this one, with quite a few more curve balls.

Last Monday began my personal mission called Operation Dog Wash. I found some relatively cheap flea shampoo at a local store and we finally had running water at the house. One after another, Eynor and I captured each dog, threw them in a tub of water, suds them up, then, somehow, held them still for eight minutes while the suds set in. During our wait time, I discovered a new past times Garrpata killing.

Eynor and our Jack-o-Lantern!

From what I can tell, a garrapata is basically a tick, and since we live in the countryside, they’re plentiful. One by one, Eynor would pull garrapata after garrapata out of the dogs ears and it was my job to crush them with a rock. Pom Pom was easily the garrapata queen, with the three biggest ones I’ve ever seen, and a mountain of small ones.

Eventually, we got all the dogs washed except Oso—because we knew bathing him just wasn’t feasible without multiple dog bites. The highlight of the day was certainly watching Eynor drag 65 pound Lucky across the yard for his bath.

Tuesday was Katrina and I’s first day teaching English class on Hunin street, which is down in the city of Huanuco. Hunin is where a few of Orlando’s relatives live. Many times that we’re there, Orlando’s mother is there and though I have a hard time understanding what she says most of the time, I can usually pick up the word “Gringita.” (Which basically means white girl) Our first class had a variety of age groups—everywhere from about 5 years old to 12 years old. Needless to say, it was a challenge to make a lesson plan that worked for everyone in the room, but considering the odds, I think we did pretty well.

Wednesday we celebrated Halloween with Jimmy, Eynor and Fabriscio. Everyone in Peru has heard of Halloween, but nobody seems to understand what it is or how it’s celebrated. For example, more than one person asked us if the meaning of the word “Halloween” was “Hello Devil” because apparently that’s what the English teachers have been teaching. Anyway, we bought the last pumpkin in Plaza Vea, carved it, put a candle inside and roasted the seeds. We also bobbed for apples, ate some gummy vampire fangs and ended the night with a scary movie. A pretty good Halloween, if I do say so myself.

The Marcos Witt concert!

Now, the reason we celebrated Halloween a day early is because Thursday we went to a concert by a Christian singer named Marcos Witt. In true Peru-style, the concert started more than three hours late, during which time Katrina and I sampled: a hotdog on a stick, a hamburger, popcorn and picarones. Once the concert finally started, they removed the gate keeping us peons with the cheap seats back and, naturally, everyone ran forward to join the fray of concert goers. Many people climbed on their chairs in order to see, which was ironic, because Katrina and I were preparing for

last weekend’s service about the story of Zaccaheus. At the end of the day, it was a good concert, despite the waiting, and we went home pretty satisfied. Definitely worth the $7 ticket.

Saturday, Katrina and I went swimming for the second time since arriving in Huanuco. The climate is so warm here, it’s perfect for swimming, but somehow we’ve managed to only go swim on cold days. Regardless, Katrina and I took Eynor and Fabriscio to the pool, swam around a bit, then headed home with some groceries to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner on Sunday.

Mohada: Not the most lady like dog. 

Sunday began on a good note-- Eynor and I ran into town to pick up a few last ingredients. Eynor and I were the first people at the local grocery store, Metro, which apparently means you’re really special. They had me cut a giant ribbon, take a picture, shake hands, and then walk through an isle of clapping employees. While it was fairly embarrassing, it was also pretty hilarious and we got a free baguette out of the affair. And this is about when the ominous stomach cramps began. Things went downhill quickly—by 4 p.m. a fever hit me and it became event I wasn’t going to be able to preside later that night. One by one, whatever the sickness is, began taking out the family, second was Katrina, next Eynor, then Carolina. By now, everyone has had a little run-in with it—although I was the only one who managed to have a high fever the entire time.

Luckily both Jimmy and Antonio studied nursing and they were saints, staying up with me throughout two nights and helping me cool down with wet towels. By far the most embarrassing part of the affair was when Antonio had to give me a shot in my butt—but at this point, I’d let go of any pride I was hanging onto. Eventually, Katrina and I made it to the clinic today, got some medicine and more shots and we’re on the mend. I’m incredibly thankful to say I haven’t had a fever all day, which has felt magnificent.

On that note—I should probably get some rest. Hopefully by the time I write again my stomach will have decided to stop hating me!