JULY BLOG - Simon's Visit to Peru

JULY  BLOG - Simon's Visit to Peru

Our eldest son Simon trained to be a Chiropractor in Wales, graduating in 2010.  During his time there, an American called Liam Schubel visited the School & talked about volunteering opportunities in Peru.  As a result, on Friday 22nd June, Simon arrived in Lima to be with other Chiropractors, all American,  for 6 days.   

Simon arriving in Lima

After a day to acclimatise themselves, they worked in Pamplona Alto, a very poor area of Lima, for much of the following four days. Down time included a tour of Lima, and a dinner watching Peruvian dancing in the evening.  On the Thursday they went to Cusco, and Machu Picchu the following day.  After climbing around the ruins there, they returned to Ollantaytambo and treated/adjusted yet more people for free.  It was really like a conveyor belt, with always a queue of people waiting to be seen.  In the 4 days, Simon said the 8 of them treated 3,000 patients, he saw 400 himself.  It was a big growing experience for Simon, to learn things that will help him in his Practice back in Shelf, Yorkshire.

Even children have back problems

Needless to say, we were delighted for Simon to come to our second home.  We had 2 days with him before he started “work”.  We had planned many things to show or tell him about life in Lima, and were able to get most of them done.  We enjoyed a Temple session, his first in Spanish, before taking him to the "Green Door" where he bought a tie with the Lima Temple on, just as Matthew had.  Then we introduced him to our friends in the Area Office & the CCM.  We took him to the Parque de Aguas (Water Park), where we saw the many fountains in different designs.  

He must have been thirsty!

In a water prison?

One of the many beautiful fountains

After dark we were treated to the wonderful laser light display, that is second to none.  Simon was just as impressed as Matthew, our youngest son, was when we took him there last August.  

One of the rites of passage for living in Lima is to travel on a crowded bus, so of course we took Simon on one.  The usual ones we use can seat 22, & we’ve seen a further 22 standing packed in the narrow aisle.  Fortunately the one Simon went on wasn’t so crowded.  Graciela took us to the Inca Market where we buy our twin/sweater sets and souveniers, Simon was  suitably impressed, & of course bought some!  We went on to the market where we buy our fruit, also our nuts & cherries by the kilo.  

Helping at mummy's market stall

Pigs trotters and more for sale

We had to take him to Don Maminos, a favourite restaurant where we met the Schiffmans, a couple who work in the next office & who will go home just a week before us. 

At the famous Don Maminos Restaurant

On Friday 29th June, Brian had a 10 minute slot in the Seminar for New Mission Presidents & Wives.  Being more experienced than when he did it last year, he prepared a Power Point Presentation, in Spanish, and gave them all a handout of it, plus a small booklet he had compiled, covering the main illnesses/treatments for missionaries in South America.  

Later that afternoon, we landed in Cusco, the old Inca capital which is 11,000ft above sea level.  Accordingly, we had to walk very slowly so we didn´t get too breathless.  You can imagine what it was like climbing to our 3rd floor hotel room.  We almost had to sit down to catch our breath when we got there!!!  It was very cold when there was no sun, & we had to wrap up warm.   However, we loved the sun & blue skies during the day, a good contrast to the grey skies in Lima. We had a wonderful reunion with the Perez family who I met in 1977 during my first mission. 

The Perez family in 1977

The Perez family 35 years later

When we met them last year, Nauvoo and his Dad weren´t there.  Nauvoo is the baby on my back inside their adobe hut.  This time we met both parents and their 4 grown-up children.  Their daughter Sariah took us to Sacsayhuaman to see the Inca fortress

Sariah and baby as our guides

The fortress of Sacsayhuaman

Just to show you how big those rocks are

On call 24/7, even when sightseeing

Afterwards we went to the family home in Cusco.  It was so good to be with them again, and learn how the family had been the backbone of the Church in Cusco for so many years, helping it grow from two small branches to two thriving stakes.

The Perez home - with snake on the wall!

Knowing we  were going to Cusco, we offered to teach the missionaries there health principles that President Calderon felt were specifically for them.  They had invited missionaries from as far away as Puno (4 hour bus ride) to come & see us.  Following the Presentation on the Saturday morning, we saw 20 missionaries individually to advise them about health problems.  Simon had offered to treat any that needed it, & ended up treating most of the 50 present, including President Calderon.  

Missionary work must be back breaking

We were so pleased we could be of help to them, it made our visit really worthwhile. The Calderons then took us out to lunch, which was very kind.  

Dining with President and Sister Calderon

Simon had had a very busy time, & we were also feeling weary with the altitude, so it was good to take things easy after Church on Sunday and just walk a little around the streets of Cusco, absorbing the wonderful sights & sounds.  We saw the weekly parade of military personnel there, & were constantly besieged by locals wanting us to buy their souveniers.  They didn´t realise we live in Peru & could buy them any time!  We also enjoyed Skyping with Simon’s wife Jenette & family who were missing him lots.  

The city of Cusco

They let me hold their lamb for this photo

Cusco's weekly parade

As you may have heard, no visit to Peru is complete without going to Machu Picchu, and this time we actually made it, not like 4 years ago when I had the worst case ever of Inca trots (diarrhoea) & we couldn´t go!  The train ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu takes about 4 ½ hours, which gives plenty of time to talk with other passengers.  We had two lovely German girls who´d recently graduated as doctors to chat with going there.   For the return journey we had a couple from Dublin, a man from Columbia, & nearby two girls from Quebec who spoke French, but with a very different accent to Simon´s.  He´d done very well speaking in Spanish much of the time, having learnt it at University, & then he had the chance to speak French.  It made Brian´s day to be able to tell a joke in English, French & Spanish!! 

The slow train from Cusco

At Aguas Calientes we boarded a bus to take the winding road up to the top of Machu Picchu, about 30 mins.  Simon decided on a different route, running up the steps in about 35 mins.  I think he was trying to show us how fit he was!

The long and winding road (13 hairpin bends)

Simon  wants to return & do the 4 day Inca Trail.  Due to it´s height of almost 3,000 feet, and being surrounded by trees, it´s not surprising Machu Picchu wasn´t discovered until 1911, by Hyrum Bingham.  Now there are about three thousand visitors daily.

The view at the top of Machu Picchu is breathtaking, no matter how many times you go there.  35 years ago, I went with my Zone of missionaries, our Mission President & Elder Bruce R McConkie (one of our apostles), which made it a memorable visit.  Little did I think I´d be returning with my husband & son in 35 years!  

Jane in 1977

35 years on and 2 different fellas

This time we had a guide, and he spoke English!  His commentary was excellent.  It was very helpful to learn about why the Incas built Machu Picchu, & that it was never completed.  It took 90 years to build, from 1450 - 1540 & must have been awful for the Incas to have to abandon their city, because of the Spaniards invasion.  We just loved the splendour and majesty of the surrounding mountains and were impressed by the reverence and gratitude the Incas displayed.  We were so grateful we could be a witness of it.  

The famous view of Machu Picchu

Sun Gate on the horizon, Guard House top right

Llamas wander freely here

Simon had his own little adventure getting home on 3rd July, when his flight from Madrid to Manchester was cancelled.  He was put up in a hotel & given dinner & breakfast.  The following day he couldn´t fly direct to Manchester, but had to go via Heathrow in London.  He was very grateful to finally arrive, 28 hours late, but safe AND with his luggage.  We were grateful too because he took a bag for us with pressies & things we no longer need here.