One Year. One Physical Therapist in Trujillo, Peru.

Combining passions of global public health with travel and cultural immersion... With the help of the Catholic Medical Mission Board, I was afforded the opportunity to live outside of Trujillo, Peru for one year's time (2010-2011). Check out old posts about my experiences as a PT working in hospitals, a school, an outpatient clinic, doing research/community based rehabilitation, and a little teaching too. And my experiences with an entire calendar year of holidays, cultural customs and new culinary experiences!

I make it back about once a year with university students/CMMB projects, so I will periodically provide updates :)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Cuzco, Perú


Dear avid followers, (ha, ha), so sorry about the several week blogging absence! I’ve just returned from an incredible vacation with family to southern Peru. I had a great time playing tourist for a few weeks and feel so lucky to have these opportunities!

It’s hard to sum up the entire trip at once so I’ll do it little by little… beginning with Cuzco. Cuzco is the gateway to Machu Picchu and seems most known for its’ high altitude, coca leaf tea, alpaca products and abundance of backpackers.

Coca leaf tea
People often just dash through this town en route to the “main event,” but I think it was well deserving of a few days stay. The vendors and sheer volume of tourists were a bit overwhelming in certain parts, but all in all it’s a quaint, vibrant town full of beautiful cobblestone streets to explore.

Calle San Blas
The Plaza de Armas and Catedral were especially beautiful, both day and night. The Cathedral is known for it’s painting of the last supper that features the Peruvian dish cuy (guinea pig). We were lured in at mass time and thus didn’t pay the usual fee!

Plaza de Armas
We came across a colorful Anniversary Parade in the city center. One of my favorite things about Peru – there’s always something random to stumble upon!

Anniversary Parade
 

To see the main Cuzco area sites you are forced to buy a wide-encompassing tourist pass, but it’s worth it. Highlights in town include Sacsayhuaman and the once gold-covered Qorikancha Inka Ruins next to Iglesia Santo Domingo.

In addition to ruins and museums, the pass gives you access to the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, where you can check out regional dances.


Don’t miss Mercado San Pedro – where you can buy slabs of meat, clothing, hand-woven crafts, agricultural products, flower bouquets, ceviche, and live frogs, (amidst other things) all in one stop!

Mercado San Pedro
Speaking of meat, if you’re looking for some American comfort food, check out Jack’s café. Nice big juicy cheeseburger I’ve been dreaming about for the last 6 months, plus the best French toast I’ve ever had! (Yes, went there twice).

Fortunately nobody came down with major altitude sickness, although at elevation 3,326 meters we were definitely huffing and puffing around. Tried running on day 4, which - aside from the gaping stares from the locals and burning cough attacks - was a pleasant and scenic experience.
All in all, I would say on the 0-10 scale, Cuzco coasts in with a solid 8.5!
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