Unsanitary....

Since JL and I are doing Spanish classes in the morning this week, we get only one break, but a long one, so we decided to take some pics at the school. Although I was scared of having private lessons with Cinthia (because I admit, I was the most hard working student slacking ALOT last week and I don't think she liked me very much for that), I actually kind of like private lessons with just JL and I. Since JL and I know some basic grammar, we are able to skip over alot of stuff we couldn't have otherwise. I am trying alot harder this week, maybe there is a chance I might start liking languages (though I'll never like it as much as my brother, I can only wish that maybe one day....)

Obligatory selfie...

Stolen pic from JL's camera =)

Our classroom...they trap us in a glass cage!!!

We went home for lunch and this is what Mama Rosa had cooked for us - Lomo Saltado. To die for! (This is actually half my lunch as I ate before remembered to take pictures.) As well as the amazing avocados, mom and dad, I am still trying to figure out a way to sneak you guys some ;)

After lunch, we headed over to the Clinic. The nuns originally told us to go shadow a general medicine doctor, but I was not going to let that go because MK and JS met Dr. Rodriguez last week, a OB/GYN, and he was great. He even offered them a chance to watch him do surgery tomorrow, and I wanted to meet him too. Dr. Rodriguez loves students and spoke English too! He also offered us the same opportunity for next week! I can't wait. Even though I have seen both c-sections and vaginal deliveries and several surgeries in the States, I am looking forward to observing in Peru and noting and disgusting/disturbing (<----see below =D) interesting differences in the OR.

1) If you ever need gynecological care in Peru, don't get it, along with any other medical care. Here is why: Today, there was a post partum woman who came in because she had a tear that was not healing quite properly. The doctor applies cream medication to this tear, and then proceeded to put the tube of cream  back in the drawer. If this was the US, some of the cream would be squirted out on a pad or something, then applied with a clean q-tip. This was like applying toothpaste directly on someone's teeth, then applying the same tube of toothpaste directly on another person's teeth, only this was located at the vagina. Disturbing.
2) A 33 week pregnant lady was getting an ultrasound (US) and felt nauseous and actually vomited a bit. While the table clothe was changed, nothing was wiped down
3) Speaking of wiping things down, things don't get wiped down here. The US probe never gets cleaned between patients
4) They use ALOT less US gel here in Peru than in the US
5) Unlike the US, where the nurses prep the room before the doctor enters, in Peru, the doctor enters the room and preps it himself. Dr. Rodriguez, whom we shadowed today, came in and turned on the fans, the US machine, computer, printer, changed the sheet when necessary, etc...
6) In Peru, the doctor sits in one room and the patients wait outside to be called into the room, one by one. There is no sort of cleaning between patients what-so-ever, in every specialty. Now, while I haven't actually shadowed an infectious disease doctor, but I can't help but wonder....

Tonight was Charlotte's last night with the program, so we went out for Mexican food. Definitely the most expensive food I have had in Peru. In US terms, it isn't expensive, but no where else I have been in Peru does it cost this much for so little food


 Peruvian-washed Mexican nachos.... 

My chorizo taquito. I thought taquitos were round, this is more like a taco. It was delicious, but not worth the $, it cost me S/8 (~$3) for this tiny taquito

Afterwards, we went to a fancy dessert restaurant where all slices of cakes were S/7 (~ $3US). I had an oreo cheesecake, only it wasn't actually cheesecake in my opinion. It was more like oreo-flavored marshmellow cream with gelatin. What a bummer, since all their desserts look amazing and aren't expensive according to US standards.

Monica and I <3

Looks like oreo cheesecake, but totally a lie...