As a temporary worker in the United Kingdom, I am entitled to NHS (National Health Services), which means I don't have to pay for medical care. And I'm certainly making good use of it -- this is the second time in 4 and a half months that I make a trip to the Accident & Emergency unit!!
After walking home in the snow for around 20 minutes, nature called and I needed to use the loo, as it is called here. So I opened the bathroom door and, because I'm smart and cautious, I put my left hand on the hinges and shut the door with my right hand, thus getting my left index finger caught in the door. The pain was excrutiating and there was blood coming out of my fingernail, which started to become purple. I stood there for a while trying to breathe deeply but blood kept coming out and it started to make me a bit dizzy and my head started buzzing. Still, I had business to take care of in the bathroom, so after getting that out of the way I ran downstairs to take some paracetamol. The pain was still strong and I could not move my finger or my hand at all without wincing. I put a band aid around my bleeding fingernail and went out in the snow again to catch the bus to the local hospital located in the most ghetto and dodgy part of Hackney.
After checking in and seeing the triage nurse, the most fun part of going to the hospital came. Waiting for a doctor to call your name. One of the doctors made an announcement that because of adverse weather conditions -- in other words, a couple of inches of snow -- the A&E was short on staff and we needed to be patient. So I sat there listening in on other people's conversations. A woman who slipped in the ice and injured her wrist was talking about how it took her two hours to get to the hospital and she'd already been waiting for a doctor for an hour. Another woman brought her pregnant friend in because she fell on her back. So I guess a bleeding nail was not all that bad. After 2 hours, a doctor called my name and we went into one of the cubicles. By this time, my nail had stopped bleeding and I had a huge scab. The doc ordered x-rays to make sure I didn't fracture the bone. After getting the x-rays done the doc and one of his colleagues suggested that I could either take painkillers to treat the nail, or they could poke my nail with a needle to get the blood out from under my nail.
I asked if the needle would hurt and they said it wouldn't because nails don't have any nerves. However, because the hematoma was at the base of the needle (where the needle grows) poking a needle in it might not be all that necessary. In the end the doctor decided to do that. A nurse and a med student popped in to watch the action. I should not be scared of needles but I am. I was told it wouldn't hurt but it did. As the English would say, BASTARDS! I was told to keep still, so I did until I screamed for the whole hospital to hear. Another doctor came in and I begged them to not do the needle again.
In the end, they decided it would not work as the hematoma was too close to where the nail grows and the painkillers should do just fine. Now I have a hole in my fingernail. BASTARDS! I was given an anti-inflammatory and paracetamol and I got my fingernail wrapped in dressing. Next time I'm not putting my hand on the hinges before closing a door or walking in front of a motorcycle.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
In Britain...
- You don't walk on the sidewalk. You walk on the pavement.
- You don't watch your head when walking through a low door. You mind your head.
- You don't take the elevator. You take the lift.
- You don't watch TV. You watch telly.
- You don't get fired. You get sacked.
- Things don't get taken care of. They get sorted.
- You don't go out with your buddies. You go out with your mates.
- You don't eat cookies. You eat biscuits.
- You don't wear pants. You wear trousers.
- Actually you do wear pants instead of underwear.
- You don't wear sneakers. You wear trainers.
- You don't ask your friends how they are when you see them. You ask them if they are allright.
- You don't watch the gap between the train and the platform. You mind the gap.
- You don't get yelled at. You get told off.
- You don't get an attorney. You get a solicitor.
- You don't have a cell phone. You have a mobile.
- You don't ask your friends where they are. You ask them whereabouts you are.
- You don't use a stove. You use a cooker.
- The engine is not in the hood. It's in the bonnet.
- You don't put your luggage in the trunk. You put it in the boot.
*Feel free to add to this list!*
- You don't watch your head when walking through a low door. You mind your head.
- You don't take the elevator. You take the lift.
- You don't watch TV. You watch telly.
- You don't get fired. You get sacked.
- Things don't get taken care of. They get sorted.
- You don't go out with your buddies. You go out with your mates.
- You don't eat cookies. You eat biscuits.
- You don't wear pants. You wear trousers.
- Actually you do wear pants instead of underwear.
- You don't wear sneakers. You wear trainers.
- You don't ask your friends how they are when you see them. You ask them if they are allright.
- You don't watch the gap between the train and the platform. You mind the gap.
- You don't get yelled at. You get told off.
- You don't get an attorney. You get a solicitor.
- You don't have a cell phone. You have a mobile.
- You don't ask your friends where they are. You ask them whereabouts you are.
- You don't use a stove. You use a cooker.
- The engine is not in the hood. It's in the bonnet.
- You don't put your luggage in the trunk. You put it in the boot.
*Feel free to add to this list!*
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Watch out for the falling leaves.
My roomate has to be the funniest person on earth. Several weeks ago I wrote about my roomate asking me if I wash my ears when I shower after telling him that I had a cold and that it was making my throat and ears hurt. Here's another funny annecdote.
I have already stated numerous times how much I hate the weather in this island. Well, thanks to the horrible weather again, I have a bit of a cold. It's not as bad as the previous one but it's still annoying to have to blow my nose. So I was talking to my roomate about my cold and suddenly my eyes got a bit itchy and watery.
Me: Crap, not only do I have to blow my nose but now my eyes are feeling funny.
Roomate: You have to be careful when you're outisde because it's autum and the leaves are falling and they could hurt your eyes.
This time I nearly fell over and went PLOP like Condorito.
I have already stated numerous times how much I hate the weather in this island. Well, thanks to the horrible weather again, I have a bit of a cold. It's not as bad as the previous one but it's still annoying to have to blow my nose. So I was talking to my roomate about my cold and suddenly my eyes got a bit itchy and watery.
Me: Crap, not only do I have to blow my nose but now my eyes are feeling funny.
Roomate: You have to be careful when you're outisde because it's autum and the leaves are falling and they could hurt your eyes.
This time I nearly fell over and went PLOP like Condorito.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
What a night!
Living in Hackney didn't seem so bad as people said it would be until last night. Before arriving in London, several people told me Hackney is one of the most dangerous places in London along with Brixton, Peckham, etc. Hackney is an inner-city borough and it's got a bad reputation. There are lots of Vietnamese stores and Turkish restaurants and sometimes I don't hear English spoken on the streets. The place doesn't look so bad, I must say. Granted, it's not Beverly Hills, but it doesn't have that ghetto look like the Bronx in NY or La Victoria in Lima. Here are some pictures of Hackney.
I met with my friend Colin in West End for a beer and then I had to meet another friend in the east part of London at 11pm. Speaking of beer, you should try Strongbow if you haven't. It's got cider and it's sweet. After two pints of Strongbow, I needed to sober up a little before meeting my other friend. A can of coke, a walk down the street plus a long ride on the subway did the trick. My friend and I were smoking Shisha when suddenly the police came into the place and asked everyone to leave. The place we were in was not supposed to be open after 11pm and they were not supposed to have people smoke upstairs because, according to the police, it was not dafe to smoke there (like, there were no emergency or fire exits and the ceiling was decorated with Indian fabric which could easily get on fire).
By now it was 12:30am and I took the bus back home. There were quite some people on the bus when these teenagers got on it and started being really loud. Then a different teenager got on the bus with some kind of fireworks in his hand, which he lit up and threw at the other teenagers. The fireworks, of course, went off inside the bus, which scared everyone to death. The smoke made everyone open the windows but then most people decided to leave the bus even though those punks were still playing with fireworks outside. For some reason, the doors would not close and so the bus would not move. I was too scared to step off the bus and wait for another bus outside, so me and 2 other guys just stayed inside the bus until the next bus came along. If that wasn't enough adrenaline for the night, when I got off the bus, some drunken white dude was walking along the streets kicking the walls and the wastebaskets and looking for a fight. You could just see the dude was thirsty for blood. Thankfully he just walked past me. Scary!
Getting kicked out of a Shisha bar by the police, surviving fireworks going off on a double-decker bus and dealing with white drunken violent guys. And I thought my neighborhood was safe. What a rough awakening! Welcome to Hackney!
I met with my friend Colin in West End for a beer and then I had to meet another friend in the east part of London at 11pm. Speaking of beer, you should try Strongbow if you haven't. It's got cider and it's sweet. After two pints of Strongbow, I needed to sober up a little before meeting my other friend. A can of coke, a walk down the street plus a long ride on the subway did the trick. My friend and I were smoking Shisha when suddenly the police came into the place and asked everyone to leave. The place we were in was not supposed to be open after 11pm and they were not supposed to have people smoke upstairs because, according to the police, it was not dafe to smoke there (like, there were no emergency or fire exits and the ceiling was decorated with Indian fabric which could easily get on fire).
By now it was 12:30am and I took the bus back home. There were quite some people on the bus when these teenagers got on it and started being really loud. Then a different teenager got on the bus with some kind of fireworks in his hand, which he lit up and threw at the other teenagers. The fireworks, of course, went off inside the bus, which scared everyone to death. The smoke made everyone open the windows but then most people decided to leave the bus even though those punks were still playing with fireworks outside. For some reason, the doors would not close and so the bus would not move. I was too scared to step off the bus and wait for another bus outside, so me and 2 other guys just stayed inside the bus until the next bus came along. If that wasn't enough adrenaline for the night, when I got off the bus, some drunken white dude was walking along the streets kicking the walls and the wastebaskets and looking for a fight. You could just see the dude was thirsty for blood. Thankfully he just walked past me. Scary!
Getting kicked out of a Shisha bar by the police, surviving fireworks going off on a double-decker bus and dealing with white drunken violent guys. And I thought my neighborhood was safe. What a rough awakening! Welcome to Hackney!
Monday, October 12, 2009
See you in heaven.
Random people make my day and there are plenty of random, weird, insane people in this city. I was in the tube this morning and this old man (I reckon he was maybe 68 or so) started making the sign of the cross in front of each passanger on the train. He made his way from the very front of the carriage to the very back of it and he did the sign of the cross in front of each person. The he stood next to me and, because I'm a good young man, I asked him if he would like to sit down.
Me: Sir, would you like to sit down?
(Old man does not answer so I speak louder this time)
Me: Sir, would you like to sit down?
(Still no answer. Even louder this time)
Me: Sir, would you like to sit down or not?
(Old man looks at me and grins widely)
Old man: I work for God.
Me: Really? That's cool.
Old man: Yes it is. (Train stops and doors open). See you in heaven! (Man jumps off the train)
Why do all these weird things have to happen to me? I must be cursed...
Me: Sir, would you like to sit down?
(Old man does not answer so I speak louder this time)
Me: Sir, would you like to sit down?
(Still no answer. Even louder this time)
Me: Sir, would you like to sit down or not?
(Old man looks at me and grins widely)
Old man: I work for God.
Me: Really? That's cool.
Old man: Yes it is. (Train stops and doors open). See you in heaven! (Man jumps off the train)
Why do all these weird things have to happen to me? I must be cursed...
Monday, October 05, 2009
Wash your ears.
I'm finally getting rid of this nasty cold I had for about a week due to the change of weather here in the UK. I still have phlegm in my chest and it makes me cough every now and then, but that's about it.
I was talking to my roomate (the epileptic guy that benefits from the charity) and I was telling him about how much it hurt to swallow saliva or water and how it was also making my ears hurt(you know, sometimes your ears hurt when you have a bad throat). His response was simply hillarious. The converstation went like this:
Me: My throat really hurts when I swallow something, be it water, saliva or food, and it also makes my ears hurt at the same time.
Roomate: What, do you not wash your ears when you shower?
I almost fell over and went PLOP like Condorito.
I was talking to my roomate (the epileptic guy that benefits from the charity) and I was telling him about how much it hurt to swallow saliva or water and how it was also making my ears hurt(you know, sometimes your ears hurt when you have a bad throat). His response was simply hillarious. The converstation went like this:
Me: My throat really hurts when I swallow something, be it water, saliva or food, and it also makes my ears hurt at the same time.
Roomate: What, do you not wash your ears when you shower?
I almost fell over and went PLOP like Condorito.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Excuse me, I ordered lemonade.
It's simply funny how things are just different in other countries. Not only do I have to bag my groceries at the supermarket (poor little me) but I also have to drink juice out of a carton at a restaurant instead of real fruit juice. This came as a complete shock when I ordered cold lemonade at a pub several weeks ago.
Me: I'll have a glass of cold lemonade, please.
Bartender: Ok.
(A glass of sparkling water arrives)
Me: Excuse me, I ordered lemonade.
Bartender: That's what I got you.
Me: No, this looks like sparkling water.
Bartender: (Looking at me funny) It is lemonade. Taste it.
(Shock -- fake lemonade out of a bottle)
Me: (Still in shock) It is lemonade.
(Bartender giggles and walks away. Not funny, dude.)
Oh, the things you take for granted...
Me: I'll have a glass of cold lemonade, please.
Bartender: Ok.
(A glass of sparkling water arrives)
Me: Excuse me, I ordered lemonade.
Bartender: That's what I got you.
Me: No, this looks like sparkling water.
Bartender: (Looking at me funny) It is lemonade. Taste it.
(Shock -- fake lemonade out of a bottle)
Me: (Still in shock) It is lemonade.
(Bartender giggles and walks away. Not funny, dude.)
Oh, the things you take for granted...
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Eyed Park.
The Brits (specially those from the lower-class in London) tend to drop their h when speaking English. They may speak like the Queen with a proper accent, but it kills me when some of them simply do not say their h in words like have, handy, behave, etc.
There's a very big and gorgeous park called Hyde Park (check out the "More London pics and friends" album on facebook). I took Sylvia, one of the service users with learning disabilities, to Hyde Park to go for a stroll, a cup of coffee and to visit Princess Diana's Memorial Fountain. Sylvia kept saying "Eyed Park" instead of "Hyde Park". She kept dropping the h until I had it. We were walking so I stopped in the middle of the walkway and asked her to repeat after me.
Me: "It's not Eyed, it's Hyde" (I aspirated my H a bit harder for her to hear it)
Sylvia: "Eyed"
Me: "No. Listen to me. (I took a deep breath and made my H a bit harder and longer) Hyde"
Sylvia: "Eyed"
Me: "Take your time, Sylvia. Listen carefully, 'Hyde'"
Sylvia: (Taking a deep breath) "H-H-H-Hyde"
Me: Yes!
Sylvia: "Hyde Park".
Me: "Yes, you got it! Now say, 'We are at Hyde Park'"
Sylvia: "We are at Hyde Park!"
Don't you love that feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment? That feeling of pride that is born in your chest and radiates to every cell of your being? That deep breath and the following relieving sigh that makes you fill like you're the best? That is exactly what I felt when I accomplished my goal. But it was short-lived. 10 seconds later, Sylvia says, pointing at the sky:
"Look! An elicopter!"
So much for my little English pronunciation session.
There's a very big and gorgeous park called Hyde Park (check out the "More London pics and friends" album on facebook). I took Sylvia, one of the service users with learning disabilities, to Hyde Park to go for a stroll, a cup of coffee and to visit Princess Diana's Memorial Fountain. Sylvia kept saying "Eyed Park" instead of "Hyde Park". She kept dropping the h until I had it. We were walking so I stopped in the middle of the walkway and asked her to repeat after me.
Me: "It's not Eyed, it's Hyde" (I aspirated my H a bit harder for her to hear it)
Sylvia: "Eyed"
Me: "No. Listen to me. (I took a deep breath and made my H a bit harder and longer) Hyde"
Sylvia: "Eyed"
Me: "Take your time, Sylvia. Listen carefully, 'Hyde'"
Sylvia: (Taking a deep breath) "H-H-H-Hyde"
Me: Yes!
Sylvia: "Hyde Park".
Me: "Yes, you got it! Now say, 'We are at Hyde Park'"
Sylvia: "We are at Hyde Park!"
Don't you love that feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment? That feeling of pride that is born in your chest and radiates to every cell of your being? That deep breath and the following relieving sigh that makes you fill like you're the best? That is exactly what I felt when I accomplished my goal. But it was short-lived. 10 seconds later, Sylvia says, pointing at the sky:
"Look! An elicopter!"
So much for my little English pronunciation session.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Mahatma...
... is my middle name and I hate it for many reasons. Not only does it make my legal name longer (Luis Junior Mahatma Moya Rojas, good grief, what were my parents thinking by giving me 5 names!) but it is also a very uncommon name and people used to make fun of it. I have always entertained the thought of dropping it but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle.
I went to the bank to open an account here in London and the lady was from India. When she noticed my name was Mahatma, she asked me if it came from Mahatma Ghandi. Yes, I told her and I also told her how my mom read about him in a book and decided to name me after him. I didn't tell her how much I hated the name because I didn't want to sound offensive. Then she told me she was from the same town as Mahatma Ghandi! Cool, I thought. When I told her I was here doing charity work for disabled people, she said it was like really cool that I was doing the same thing my namesake used to do. That's the coolest thing I have ever been told about being named Mahatma.
I went to the bank to open an account here in London and the lady was from India. When she noticed my name was Mahatma, she asked me if it came from Mahatma Ghandi. Yes, I told her and I also told her how my mom read about him in a book and decided to name me after him. I didn't tell her how much I hated the name because I didn't want to sound offensive. Then she told me she was from the same town as Mahatma Ghandi! Cool, I thought. When I told her I was here doing charity work for disabled people, she said it was like really cool that I was doing the same thing my namesake used to do. That's the coolest thing I have ever been told about being named Mahatma.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Funny anecdote.
Sometimes I get asked by people if I'm from the United States here in London and I'm not sure that's a good or a bad thing. Anyhow, I went to the supermarket today and the check-out lady made me feel REALLY American.
(In America you use dollars and cents, but here in the UK people use pounds and pence)
Check-out lady: It's 8 pounds and 20 pence.
Me: I'm sorry, how many cents?
Check-out lady: 20 pence. We don't do cents, we do pence, darling.
We had a good laugh, but it made me feel like such a foreigner. :P
(In America you use dollars and cents, but here in the UK people use pounds and pence)
Check-out lady: It's 8 pounds and 20 pence.
Me: I'm sorry, how many cents?
Check-out lady: 20 pence. We don't do cents, we do pence, darling.
We had a good laugh, but it made me feel like such a foreigner. :P
Saturday, September 05, 2009
It feels like autum!
Greetings from sunny and chilly London! The weather is changing here. The air is chillier and we're getting fewer sunny days. It has also rained some recently -- not unusual in this city at all -- but it's supposed to be sunny this week.
There is a lot to write about but I don't know where to start. Things are going great here in the UK. I have been doing plenty of volunteer work in the morning and a lot of travelling around London in the evening. Working with people who have learning disabilities is very rewarding but it's a challenge at the same time. One of the service users (meaning one of the persons that the charity supports) got robbed as he was getting off the bus. We had to go to the police station to file a report and I'm glad I was there to help him out. My roomate had a seizure a few weeks ago and I needed to call the ambulance.
So basically I hang out with disabled people. We'll go to a pub or a restaurant or a museum and things like that. It's already been a month and time seems to be going by SO quickly! My roomate and I have a dog I have grown very fond of. His name is Snowy and we enjoy going out for a walk in the park.
Things are very different here in the UK but it feels great to be here right now. I miss my friends back in Lima, but I know the UK is the place to be for the time being. Cheers!
There is a lot to write about but I don't know where to start. Things are going great here in the UK. I have been doing plenty of volunteer work in the morning and a lot of travelling around London in the evening. Working with people who have learning disabilities is very rewarding but it's a challenge at the same time. One of the service users (meaning one of the persons that the charity supports) got robbed as he was getting off the bus. We had to go to the police station to file a report and I'm glad I was there to help him out. My roomate had a seizure a few weeks ago and I needed to call the ambulance.
So basically I hang out with disabled people. We'll go to a pub or a restaurant or a museum and things like that. It's already been a month and time seems to be going by SO quickly! My roomate and I have a dog I have grown very fond of. His name is Snowy and we enjoy going out for a walk in the park.
Things are very different here in the UK but it feels great to be here right now. I miss my friends back in Lima, but I know the UK is the place to be for the time being. Cheers!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
So what's going on?
Greetings from sunny London! It's summer here and it's lovely -- this coming from someone who hates summer!
I have already started my volunteer work after a week of "shadowing" other members of the charity. My job is to pretty much hang out with people who have learning disabilities -- some of them have mild disabilities and some of them have severe disabilities. So my job involves taking them out to a museum or a church, doing touristy stuff and whatnot. I'll briefly describe the people I work with:
Cris: He's my roomate and even though he's got cerebral palsy and epilepsy, he's very independent. He does his own cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc. He's planning on moving into an apartment of his own soon. I spend about a couple of hours a day with him talking and hanging out. He was the main person I was gonna work with but it turns out he doesn't really need that much help. So I mainly support the other service users in the area.
Gary: Gary is 25 and a lot of fun. He's got dislexia and stutters a lot. He loves playing pool and going bowling. He just got a CD mixer and he's getting into beat-boxing.
Hymie: He's an older Jewish man who has difficulty communicating. He's a painter and has sold lots of his paintings -- and he makes quite some money!
Peter: Peter has cerebral palsy as well. He's also quite independent but pretty forgetful. He loves museums and he enjoys a boat ride on the Thames.
Sylvia: She's so sweet and loves to talk and visit churches. I'm not sure what her disability is but I have noticed she always repeats what other people say.
All of these folks are great people and they're very aware of who they are, where they are and what's going on around them. HILT (the charity) aims at helping them live on their own, making their own choices with as little help as possible. Your prayers for these people will be eternally appreciated!
I haven't had a major attack of culture shock yet. Things are so different here but I think I'm still in that stage where everything is fun and games. I'm glad I can communicate just fine in English, though. That sure helps a lot! Impressions:
- London is so diverse. More than 200 languages are spoken in this city and there seems to be people from every single country. My neibourhood has lots of Vietanmese and Turkish immigrants, but there are also lots of Polish, Brazilian, Spanish, you name it. There's a wide variety of food also.
- The public transportation system is excellent. Both the buses and the underground/overground are simply fantastic. Everything is very well-organized.
- There is a lot of history here and lots of very old and pretty buildings and churches. London is deft a hot spot for tourism.
I will continue updating as much as I can. Cheers!
I have already started my volunteer work after a week of "shadowing" other members of the charity. My job is to pretty much hang out with people who have learning disabilities -- some of them have mild disabilities and some of them have severe disabilities. So my job involves taking them out to a museum or a church, doing touristy stuff and whatnot. I'll briefly describe the people I work with:
Cris: He's my roomate and even though he's got cerebral palsy and epilepsy, he's very independent. He does his own cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc. He's planning on moving into an apartment of his own soon. I spend about a couple of hours a day with him talking and hanging out. He was the main person I was gonna work with but it turns out he doesn't really need that much help. So I mainly support the other service users in the area.
Gary: Gary is 25 and a lot of fun. He's got dislexia and stutters a lot. He loves playing pool and going bowling. He just got a CD mixer and he's getting into beat-boxing.
Hymie: He's an older Jewish man who has difficulty communicating. He's a painter and has sold lots of his paintings -- and he makes quite some money!
Peter: Peter has cerebral palsy as well. He's also quite independent but pretty forgetful. He loves museums and he enjoys a boat ride on the Thames.
Sylvia: She's so sweet and loves to talk and visit churches. I'm not sure what her disability is but I have noticed she always repeats what other people say.
All of these folks are great people and they're very aware of who they are, where they are and what's going on around them. HILT (the charity) aims at helping them live on their own, making their own choices with as little help as possible. Your prayers for these people will be eternally appreciated!
I haven't had a major attack of culture shock yet. Things are so different here but I think I'm still in that stage where everything is fun and games. I'm glad I can communicate just fine in English, though. That sure helps a lot! Impressions:
- London is so diverse. More than 200 languages are spoken in this city and there seems to be people from every single country. My neibourhood has lots of Vietanmese and Turkish immigrants, but there are also lots of Polish, Brazilian, Spanish, you name it. There's a wide variety of food also.
- The public transportation system is excellent. Both the buses and the underground/overground are simply fantastic. Everything is very well-organized.
- There is a lot of history here and lots of very old and pretty buildings and churches. London is deft a hot spot for tourism.
I will continue updating as much as I can. Cheers!
Saturday, August 08, 2009
In London at last!
After a long 16-hour journey from Lima, I am finally in London! My father came to Lima from Piura to say good-bye and remind me to not take any packages from strangers at the airport and to call Mom as much as I can. I flew Iberia to Madrid, where I had 2 hours to kill before getting on the plane to go to London.
The Heathrow airport is HUMONGOUS! Upon getting off the plane, we had to walk forever before making it to immigrations, where I was grilled. This English lady I met in Lima happened to be on my flight so we were chatting after getting off the plane and neither her nor I realized that there's a line for people from the EU and a different line for people from other countries. I was in the wrong line, but they put me through nonetheless. Not without asking a MILLION questions first. "What are you here for? How long will you stay? How long have you known your friend? Why were you rejected a visa to the UK?" There should be a pill for verbal diarrhea :) The immigration officer said he'd have to check why I was refused a visa before and when he came back he told me to be more careful and get in the right line next time. After that, I had to get some X-rays at the airport (people from 3rd world countries have to pass a medical check-up) and then I had a hard time finding my baggage. I was met by Emma at the airport and then we took the tube and a cab to my place.
I must say I'm utterly impressed with the English transportation system. The tube is amazing (when it's not packed) and the buses only stop where they're supposed to. No need to pay cash upon getting on the bus. Everyone has a bus pass or an oyster card that simply needs to be touched on a yellow pad. I've gotten lost several times but I'm finding it easier to get around. The bus stops have self-explanatory maps of where you are and where each bus will take you, how often the bus comes around and a huge list of which bus to take to go to a certain destination. It's all extremely well-organized. Nothing like the chaos we sadly have in Lima.
I've already made new friends here and I've been adventurous enough to wander off on my own also. I went to Westminster (central London) last night and stumbled upon the Big Ben and the Wheel and the London Eye. My friend and I aslo got to see the Tower Bridge. There are a million places to see here and a year won't be enough! Please pray as I live in a whole different country. I will post here as much as I can and I'll put some pictures up on Facebook as well. Cheers!
The Heathrow airport is HUMONGOUS! Upon getting off the plane, we had to walk forever before making it to immigrations, where I was grilled. This English lady I met in Lima happened to be on my flight so we were chatting after getting off the plane and neither her nor I realized that there's a line for people from the EU and a different line for people from other countries. I was in the wrong line, but they put me through nonetheless. Not without asking a MILLION questions first. "What are you here for? How long will you stay? How long have you known your friend? Why were you rejected a visa to the UK?" There should be a pill for verbal diarrhea :) The immigration officer said he'd have to check why I was refused a visa before and when he came back he told me to be more careful and get in the right line next time. After that, I had to get some X-rays at the airport (people from 3rd world countries have to pass a medical check-up) and then I had a hard time finding my baggage. I was met by Emma at the airport and then we took the tube and a cab to my place.
I must say I'm utterly impressed with the English transportation system. The tube is amazing (when it's not packed) and the buses only stop where they're supposed to. No need to pay cash upon getting on the bus. Everyone has a bus pass or an oyster card that simply needs to be touched on a yellow pad. I've gotten lost several times but I'm finding it easier to get around. The bus stops have self-explanatory maps of where you are and where each bus will take you, how often the bus comes around and a huge list of which bus to take to go to a certain destination. It's all extremely well-organized. Nothing like the chaos we sadly have in Lima.
I've already made new friends here and I've been adventurous enough to wander off on my own also. I went to Westminster (central London) last night and stumbled upon the Big Ben and the Wheel and the London Eye. My friend and I aslo got to see the Tower Bridge. There are a million places to see here and a year won't be enough! Please pray as I live in a whole different country. I will post here as much as I can and I'll put some pictures up on Facebook as well. Cheers!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A new chapter is about to begin!
After months of waiting, I finally got my visa to the UK! I leave Peru on August 3rd (in less than a week, that is) and I'll live in East London, the borough of Hackney for a whole year. I will do volunteer work for a charity that works with adults who have learning disabilities and would like to be able to live independently. I'll live with a guy who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and my job will be to provide him help when cooking, shopping, cleaning, calling the ambulance if he gets a seizure and most importantly, I'll be a friend to him. He's due to move out and live on his own soon, which means someone else will live with me when he leaves.
I'm stoked about this opportunity! I have always wanted to live abroad for a while and do something to help others. I never thought I'd do charity work in London, though. It isn't everyday that you hear people from the 3rd world go to the 1st world to do charity/volunteer work. Besides that, I need a break from Peru for a while. I have the feeling I need to find myself and I find it hard to do it in my own country.
Getting a visa was much easier this time around. When I applied to go to Scotland, I was denied because I was missing one of the new requirements the Embassy had set not too long ago. I had all I needed this time and it only took one week to get the visa as opposed to 4 weeks as the Embassy had said it'd take. My family took the news very well (even Mom, which is hard to believe) and everything else has worked out just fine.
Please pray for safety as I live in a foreign country for a year and pray for the people I'll be interacting with. I'll try to blog as much as I cam when in London.
I'm stoked about this opportunity! I have always wanted to live abroad for a while and do something to help others. I never thought I'd do charity work in London, though. It isn't everyday that you hear people from the 3rd world go to the 1st world to do charity/volunteer work. Besides that, I need a break from Peru for a while. I have the feeling I need to find myself and I find it hard to do it in my own country.
Getting a visa was much easier this time around. When I applied to go to Scotland, I was denied because I was missing one of the new requirements the Embassy had set not too long ago. I had all I needed this time and it only took one week to get the visa as opposed to 4 weeks as the Embassy had said it'd take. My family took the news very well (even Mom, which is hard to believe) and everything else has worked out just fine.
Please pray for safety as I live in a foreign country for a year and pray for the people I'll be interacting with. I'll try to blog as much as I cam when in London.
Monday, July 20, 2009
How many more strikes will it take?
Last time these bus and taxi drivers said they were going on a strike, they did not. So much for all the fuss they made about going on a 48-hour strike. They were all working that day unlike the week before when they didn't and havoc was created. I thought they finally understood they could strike all they want and not being able to change the laws. Now I'm eating my words.
It seems like the goverment has raised the amount of violation tickets for causing accidents and the bus companies, of course, didn't like that. They're trying to have a meeting with the Mayor of Lima to discuss why they're raising the amount of money to be paid. The strike is supposed to begin today for 48 hours. The question is, will they really strike like they did the first time or will they not, like the second time? We shall see.
I personally think this is embarrasing. Instead of striking, they should abide by the law and avoid getting tickets. Period.
It seems like the goverment has raised the amount of violation tickets for causing accidents and the bus companies, of course, didn't like that. They're trying to have a meeting with the Mayor of Lima to discuss why they're raising the amount of money to be paid. The strike is supposed to begin today for 48 hours. The question is, will they really strike like they did the first time or will they not, like the second time? We shall see.
I personally think this is embarrasing. Instead of striking, they should abide by the law and avoid getting tickets. Period.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Shocking news.
For those of you who have never been to the city of Cuzco (the province where Machu Picchu is), there is a very good, traditional and affordable store called Cafe Allyu in the smack dab downtown area of the city. Now, Cuzco is a very historical city. It's the city where the Incas lived and from there they ruled over their kingdom and just like Lima, it was conquered by the Spanish who also settled there. A lot has been preserved (like the ancient ruins and buildings) although a few things are starting to change.
There is a Mc Donald's in the downtown area, but it's not imposing and it doesn't look like one of the Mc Donald's in the States or in Lima. In fact it's got a "Cuzco" style to it. Seemingly, the Catholic church owns some of the property and real state in the downtown area of Cuzco, the location where Cafe Allyu is being one of their many properties. The Archbishop is kicking the owners of this traditional and affordable coffee shop because they got a very juicy offer from someone else. The offer was that this new coffee shop would pay a higher rent amount and give the church 10% of their sales. The owners of Cafe Allyu cannot beat this offer so now they're turning the keys in.
Who is going to take Cafe Allyu's place, might you ask. None other than.........................(drumroll)............................Starbucks!!!!!!!! Gag. It seems like the Catholic church gives squat about tradition when it comes to money (harsh statement, I know). I guess they don't care that a place like Starbucks is present in the historical Plaza in Cuzco. Now, I don't have anything against Starbucks, and I'm not against "modernization", but having a Starbucks in the midst of such antient place is a little too much. Starbucks is already all over the world and the last place it should be in is Cuzco.
Opinions?
There is a Mc Donald's in the downtown area, but it's not imposing and it doesn't look like one of the Mc Donald's in the States or in Lima. In fact it's got a "Cuzco" style to it. Seemingly, the Catholic church owns some of the property and real state in the downtown area of Cuzco, the location where Cafe Allyu is being one of their many properties. The Archbishop is kicking the owners of this traditional and affordable coffee shop because they got a very juicy offer from someone else. The offer was that this new coffee shop would pay a higher rent amount and give the church 10% of their sales. The owners of Cafe Allyu cannot beat this offer so now they're turning the keys in.
Who is going to take Cafe Allyu's place, might you ask. None other than.........................(drumroll)............................Starbucks!!!!!!!! Gag. It seems like the Catholic church gives squat about tradition when it comes to money (harsh statement, I know). I guess they don't care that a place like Starbucks is present in the historical Plaza in Cuzco. Now, I don't have anything against Starbucks, and I'm not against "modernization", but having a Starbucks in the midst of such antient place is a little too much. Starbucks is already all over the world and the last place it should be in is Cuzco.
Opinions?
Sunday, July 05, 2009
And they're going on yet another strike!
Seemingly, a one-day strike wasn't enough. So this time they're going on a 3-day strike!! If you didn't read my previous post, then let me tell you what they're striking for: they don't want to get tickets. That's right. They want to keep on breaking the law and not pay the consequences of their wrongdoings.
It seems like the bus companies are now protesting along with some kind of group/association who's "mission" is to defend the rights of workers. Apparently these people, whoever they are or whoever they think they are, also feel that the police issuing tickets is an abuse. In other words, enforcing the law is an abuse. One of the bus companies will operate normally but that doesn't mean that it'll be safe to get on the bus (over 100 protestors were arrested last week) or that there will be enough transportation for the millions of people who take the famous combis and buses here.
In light of this situation, President Alan Garcia has promised to give some money to those drivers who decide to operate on July 7th, 8th and 9th. The whopping amount of money is (drumroll) 20 Soles!!!! Per day? Wrong! For all three days. At least the government is doing something to encourage bus drivers to go to work. In the end, if they don't go to work, they don't get paid. And it isn't like they make a lot of money. Driving for hours in a city like Lima, picking up passengers and dropping them off at pretty much every stop is quite stressful. President Alan Garcia has also announced that public employees will be allowed to come to work at least 2 hours late and private companies should allow their employees to also be 2 hours late due to the lack of transportation. It has also been said that employers could reimburse their employees the amount of money they spend to get to work (taxis and operating buses tend to overcharge). This is the employer's decision, notwithstanding.
The upshot of this whole thing is just chaos, mayhem, and a headache. I have friends who live quite a way from the office where we work and some of them can't get to work because of the strike and thus they don't get paid for the day. Not much will be accomplished by just going on a strike and I hope the police won't stop enforcing the law because of this. Now it's time to do one of the things I hate the most: shaving!
It seems like the bus companies are now protesting along with some kind of group/association who's "mission" is to defend the rights of workers. Apparently these people, whoever they are or whoever they think they are, also feel that the police issuing tickets is an abuse. In other words, enforcing the law is an abuse. One of the bus companies will operate normally but that doesn't mean that it'll be safe to get on the bus (over 100 protestors were arrested last week) or that there will be enough transportation for the millions of people who take the famous combis and buses here.
In light of this situation, President Alan Garcia has promised to give some money to those drivers who decide to operate on July 7th, 8th and 9th. The whopping amount of money is (drumroll) 20 Soles!!!! Per day? Wrong! For all three days. At least the government is doing something to encourage bus drivers to go to work. In the end, if they don't go to work, they don't get paid. And it isn't like they make a lot of money. Driving for hours in a city like Lima, picking up passengers and dropping them off at pretty much every stop is quite stressful. President Alan Garcia has also announced that public employees will be allowed to come to work at least 2 hours late and private companies should allow their employees to also be 2 hours late due to the lack of transportation. It has also been said that employers could reimburse their employees the amount of money they spend to get to work (taxis and operating buses tend to overcharge). This is the employer's decision, notwithstanding.
The upshot of this whole thing is just chaos, mayhem, and a headache. I have friends who live quite a way from the office where we work and some of them can't get to work because of the strike and thus they don't get paid for the day. Not much will be accomplished by just going on a strike and I hope the police won't stop enforcing the law because of this. Now it's time to do one of the things I hate the most: shaving!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Peruvian public transportation goes on strike because they don't want to get tickets!
That is exactly right. It seems like the authorities are finally starting to enforce the traffic laws in this country. But it seems like the public transportation workers do not like the idea of being law-abiding in order for things to be more orderly.
The police have been issuing more tickets these past few weeks for traffic violations and honking the horn when it is not necessary (like when you want the vehicle in front of you to get out of your way, for example, or even worse, when traffic is backed up and people are in a hurry or frustrated and they decide to honk incessantly). It's a good thing that the police are trying to get drivers to follow the rules when being behind the wheel. Driving in Peru is not civilized at all and it's more like being in a video game. Take a look here. It takes special skills to drive here. Things like making a left turn from the farthest lane to the right and swtiching lanes without using the blinkers are common practice. I was glad to see that something was being done to teach people that they need to obey the rules.
Well, the bus companies decided to go on a strike today because the police are issuing expensive tickets left and right. There were very few buses on the road today the only word that comes to my mind to describe what it was like is chaos. A lot of people use the public buses here and the fact that there were very few running was simply horrible. I didn't realize there was a strike until I stood on my usual corner to take the bus and not a single one would come around. Only then did I remember. I had to take a small bus (combi) to go to one of the main avenues in my part of town and from there get on a different bus to go to work. I had to pay twice as much as I would usually pay. Fine. I have to get to work. When I got off that bus I spotted one that would get me pretty close to work. The money collector lady said the bus was only going up the road till it got to one of the major avenues in town. Fine. Close enough for me to just walk to work. I was overcharged again as was everyone else. At one point the money lady told a bunch of people to shut their mouths when they started to complain. Excellent customer service.
Tons of people were standing on the streets hoping to get on a bus or taxi. And when one came around, they would all run to it and shove people left and right trying to get on the bus. Cabs here do not have meters, so they were also overcharging people. Some people got creative and decided to drive their own vehicles on the streets and make some money. When I was finished at work, I didn't think I'd be able to take a bus home and I was right. So I decided to walk home and boy, it was a long, and I mean LONG walk. It took around 1 hour and 40 minutes. A lot of people also decided they would walk. I had never seen so many people walk on the streets here. I decided to stop by the supermarket to get a drink and there were lots of people in line to check their stuff out. There's a speciall line for older people and women that are pregnant, and this lady (she looked old but certainly not old enough to be in that line) cut in the very front of the line, which made everyone around upset. She became rude and so did the people behind her. It made my day :)
Hopefully things will go back to normal tomorrow. Not only do these reckless bus drivers jeopardize their passenger's lives and be rude to them but now they're striking because they don't want to pay a fine when they break the rules? So if I don't want to go to work because I have a lot of stuff to do then I just don't show up? If I steal or kill someone, should I then not be punished because I had a "reason" to do so? I think not. And mind you, it isn't just the bus drivers that drive like crazy but everyone in general!!!!! If these people drove the way they did in the States, they'd all go to jail. So much for passing a driving test and a psychological test. This, my dear friend, is the kind of country I live in. A country were people go on strike because they don't want to be punished when they commit a violation.
Monday, June 15, 2009
I FINALLY GOT MY DIPLOMA!!!!!!
I haven't been very good about blogging these days since I have been quite busy with work and stuff and I didn't have internet access for about a month. Well, I am now happy to announce that I have my bachelor's diploma in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
I took an on-line correspondence course when I was living in Piura (northern Peru) with a university here in Lima. I did that for 2 years and then, around the end of the course, I moved to Lima. Once in Lima, I had to take a couple more classes and teach a class in front of one of the university professors. That pretty much concluded all of my classes and my credits were now complete. HOWEVER, the stinkin university told me I needed to do a lot of paperwork and that the whole process to get the diploma would take about eight months!!!!!! I started to get the documents they wanted me to get but it took a while since I had a 9-to-5 job and I was also busy taking Portuguese lessons. I had to go to the bank numerous times to make payments and then I had to go to the many different departments the university has all over town.
When the time came for me to finally be able to get my diploma, the university went on strike for 3 months. About 3 weeks ago, the strike had been lifted for a short period of time and I was finally able to get the darn diploma. It had taken so long I wasn't even excited when I got it. I'm NEVER going back to that school again.
I took an on-line correspondence course when I was living in Piura (northern Peru) with a university here in Lima. I did that for 2 years and then, around the end of the course, I moved to Lima. Once in Lima, I had to take a couple more classes and teach a class in front of one of the university professors. That pretty much concluded all of my classes and my credits were now complete. HOWEVER, the stinkin university told me I needed to do a lot of paperwork and that the whole process to get the diploma would take about eight months!!!!!! I started to get the documents they wanted me to get but it took a while since I had a 9-to-5 job and I was also busy taking Portuguese lessons. I had to go to the bank numerous times to make payments and then I had to go to the many different departments the university has all over town.
When the time came for me to finally be able to get my diploma, the university went on strike for 3 months. About 3 weeks ago, the strike had been lifted for a short period of time and I was finally able to get the darn diploma. It had taken so long I wasn't even excited when I got it. I'm NEVER going back to that school again.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A visit to the men's prison in San Juan del Hurigancho.
I visited one of the men's prisons in town back in January of this year and I wrote about what I saw there. I divided my story into 3 parts due to its length, so just click on the links below if you wish to read the entire story.
A visit to the men's prison in San Juan de Lurigancho Part 1.
A visit to the men's prison in San Juan de Lurigancho Part 2.
A visit to the men's prison in San Juan de Lurigancho Part 3.
A visit to the men's prison in San Juan de Lurigancho Part 1.
A visit to the men's prison in San Juan de Lurigancho Part 2.
A visit to the men's prison in San Juan de Lurigancho Part 3.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Contributed story: Behave yourself (By Teo Rios Ramirez)
The following story was written by one of my co-workers and I decided to share it and translate it into English since it was pretty inspiring. I would like to preface this story by stating that the police in this country are very corrupt and they can't always be trusted. The original version of this story in Spanish can be found here.
BEHAVE YOURSELF (By Teo Rios Ramirez)
I fell asleep in a bus lost in the midst of toxic traffic on Wilson Av. on a Tuesday night. Suddenly I woke up, when the vehicle stopped at one of the first blocks of Tacna Av. and I heard the voice of a traffic police officer, a strong but tired voice, possibly reaching the end of a rough day. The following is a recreation of what took place in those memorable ten minutes.
- Good evening. You have just picked up passengers in a prohibited zone. I need your documents please.
- But chief, it was just one lady...
- Look, a prohibited area is a prohibited area whether it's one lady or three. I need your documents.
- But chief, it's the first time...
- Even if it were the fifth time, it's still a violation.
- Come on, chief...
The officer takes his glasses off, rubs his eyes and puts his glasses back on. His tiredness is now noticable in his eyes. It's definetely not the first time he hears this and it won't be the last one for as long as he's a cop.
- Sir, my shift is almost over and the last thing I want is for you to make things complicated. I need your license.
- Come on, man, it's no big deal.
- It's a minor violation, let me see your license so I can now write a ticket and that way you can finish up your route.
The driver mumbles something unintelligible. I can't see the cop's face now, but I'm sure he's starting to frown.
- If you need to tell me something, say it out loud, the very same way I'm talking to you, so that everyone can hear you.
- But chief, it was no big deal...
- Stop repeating the same thing over and over and let me see your documents before I give you another ticket because of that broken turn signal.
- Come one, chief... I don't have...
- You don't have a license? Have your passengers get off the bus and have the fare collector give them their money back. I'm going to get on my motorcycle and you will follow me to the impound. Do you understand?
Then, out of the blue, what I never thought I would see in Peru happened. The cop's face became red and his weary look turned into an expression of indescribable fury. He pointed at the driver with a gloved right index finger, clenched his teeth and his voice was able to be heard all the way to the opposite side of the avenue.
- Put that money in your hand away! You don't have a license, you make me waste my time and on top of that you're trying to bribe me? I'm going to give you all three tickets I should have given you initially and if you don't follow me to the impound or if it takes you too long I will put an arrest warrant out for you!
I swear I wanted to shake the cop's hand, get a picture taken with him and tell him he was a heroe. I didn't care I was stranded on Tacna Av. at 8 at night and I didn't care I had to walk for a block to be able to catch a different bus. It's just that you don't see this type of things everyday.
'Nuff said.
BEHAVE YOURSELF (By Teo Rios Ramirez)
I fell asleep in a bus lost in the midst of toxic traffic on Wilson Av. on a Tuesday night. Suddenly I woke up, when the vehicle stopped at one of the first blocks of Tacna Av. and I heard the voice of a traffic police officer, a strong but tired voice, possibly reaching the end of a rough day. The following is a recreation of what took place in those memorable ten minutes.
- Good evening. You have just picked up passengers in a prohibited zone. I need your documents please.
- But chief, it was just one lady...
- Look, a prohibited area is a prohibited area whether it's one lady or three. I need your documents.
- But chief, it's the first time...
- Even if it were the fifth time, it's still a violation.
- Come on, chief...
The officer takes his glasses off, rubs his eyes and puts his glasses back on. His tiredness is now noticable in his eyes. It's definetely not the first time he hears this and it won't be the last one for as long as he's a cop.
- Sir, my shift is almost over and the last thing I want is for you to make things complicated. I need your license.
- Come on, man, it's no big deal.
- It's a minor violation, let me see your license so I can now write a ticket and that way you can finish up your route.
The driver mumbles something unintelligible. I can't see the cop's face now, but I'm sure he's starting to frown.
- If you need to tell me something, say it out loud, the very same way I'm talking to you, so that everyone can hear you.
- But chief, it was no big deal...
- Stop repeating the same thing over and over and let me see your documents before I give you another ticket because of that broken turn signal.
- Come one, chief... I don't have...
- You don't have a license? Have your passengers get off the bus and have the fare collector give them their money back. I'm going to get on my motorcycle and you will follow me to the impound. Do you understand?
Then, out of the blue, what I never thought I would see in Peru happened. The cop's face became red and his weary look turned into an expression of indescribable fury. He pointed at the driver with a gloved right index finger, clenched his teeth and his voice was able to be heard all the way to the opposite side of the avenue.
- Put that money in your hand away! You don't have a license, you make me waste my time and on top of that you're trying to bribe me? I'm going to give you all three tickets I should have given you initially and if you don't follow me to the impound or if it takes you too long I will put an arrest warrant out for you!
I swear I wanted to shake the cop's hand, get a picture taken with him and tell him he was a heroe. I didn't care I was stranded on Tacna Av. at 8 at night and I didn't care I had to walk for a block to be able to catch a different bus. It's just that you don't see this type of things everyday.
'Nuff said.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Ranting about combis and getting convicted in one.
Riding the combi (bus) is starting to get a little old recently, but alas, it's the most common way to get around in this city unless you can afford taking taxis or having your own vehicle, both of which I could afford but I would hate to spend so much money when I know there's a cheaper venue. Therefore, I have to ride the bus to work at about 8:20 in the morning and then at 6:30 p.m. or so to go back home. The traffic is pretty bad at both times of the day and they're usually very crowded. There is no air conditioning, so the windows need to be open in the summertime. However, some windows are stuck and they can't be opened. And when it's cold in the winter, the windows need to be closed but some windows -- you guessed right! -- cannot be shut. The seats are in horrible condition most of the time, and they're usually not very big. A 5'10" person might have a hard time fitting on one of the narrow made-for-midgets seats.
To add to all this, some people silently flatulate inside the bus and it's always a while before the fragrance disappears. Other people are extremely nasty. Some people know how much money they're supposed to pay but they want to pay less or the shouting cobrador (fare collector) sometimes overcharges and that's when people get nasty. Some people will start a huge argument over 0.20 cents whilst others simply take the passive-agressive approach and decide to get off the bus and get on a different one. You wouldn't think this could get any worse, but it does. They're loud and reckless. Music is usually played on the bus (not my favorite kind of music 90% of the time), the fare collector is always yelling out the names of the streets where the bus travels and the horn is honked every 5 minutes. A lot of the drivers are not licensed and if they are, you wouldn't think they would be due to their reckless driving (everyone in Lima drives recklessly anyway). The buses are owned by private companies, so the more passengers the bus gets, the more money the company and the employees make. Some of these drivers will speed, switch lanes and run the red light in an effort to get passangers on the bus and risking a bunch of people's lives, and their own, in the process.
Do not get me started on the bus stops. They're just suggestions, just as much as the traffic rules are suggestions. These buses will pretty much stop anywhere to pick people up but they won't do that when people need to get off the bus. It's not uncommon to see people waiting to catch a bus around a sign that says "Paradero prohibido" (Prohibited stop) and the bus will stop where it's not supposed to so long as there isn't a cop in sight. Every corner is pretty much a bus stop, so the bus might stop at every corner. Now, how do you go about getting off the bus? Some big buses have a button on the door you can push, but those are rare. The most common way is to let the cobrador know (usually by yelling it out) where it is you need to get off the bus in advance. But even then, they will sometimes go too far and then you have to walk back. Now there are tons of different routes, and you would think there's written information available to everyone on which buses go where, but there isn't. You just have to learn which bus to take by asking around.
One other thing that I don't like about the buses is that a lot of street vendors will get on the bus to sell stuff. Some vendors get on the bus and walk down the aisle hoping someone will buy something from them. Some vendors get on the bus, wish everyone a good morning/afternoon/evening, apologize for being disruptive and then go on to tell everyone why they're doing what they're doing before walking down the ailse to get people to buy whatever they're selling. Most of them are men, but it's not rare to see a lady do this. Some of them say they used to be in jail and now they're trying to live a better life, others say they used to do drugs or alcohol and now they're trying to make an honest living. One guy got on the bus one time to say he was HIV+ and that he didn't have enough money to buy his meds. One time this young guy got on the bus to sell candy since he couldn't afford paying his college tuition. Some people preach the Word, others play the guitar or sing (some of them are good) and some are just too young to go to "work". It breaks my heart to see kids who should be in school or playing hide-and-seek get on the bus and work for money. I don't usually buy stuff from these people since I don't know whether they're telling the truth, but tonight I felt very convicted.
A 40-something-year-old looking man got on the bus and, after introducing himself and stuff, said he used to be employed but his company started laying people off without any previous notice and, unfortunately, he got laid off and now he needs to find a way to support his wife and 3 underage children. He said his kids needed to be fed just as much as his wife and him needed to eat, and he also said that kids don't understand the words, "I don't have money" or "I can't provide for you right now". He then talked about life being unfair and how we all should help one another in times of need. He pulled a bag full of candy and started to sell it for 0.20 cents a piece or 3 pieces of candy for 0.50 cents. I was just convicted. I reached into my pocket to get money to buy candy (which was really good, I must say). Life is unfair. I have had my fair share of disappointment this year. We must help one another in times of need, specially now more than ever due to this financial global crisis we have going on. We can't predict the future. No one can fortell what will happen to us tomorrow. There is no way to find out what will befall us. We may be in need, we may need a helping hand, and we may not get it.
To add to all this, some people silently flatulate inside the bus and it's always a while before the fragrance disappears. Other people are extremely nasty. Some people know how much money they're supposed to pay but they want to pay less or the shouting cobrador (fare collector) sometimes overcharges and that's when people get nasty. Some people will start a huge argument over 0.20 cents whilst others simply take the passive-agressive approach and decide to get off the bus and get on a different one. You wouldn't think this could get any worse, but it does. They're loud and reckless. Music is usually played on the bus (not my favorite kind of music 90% of the time), the fare collector is always yelling out the names of the streets where the bus travels and the horn is honked every 5 minutes. A lot of the drivers are not licensed and if they are, you wouldn't think they would be due to their reckless driving (everyone in Lima drives recklessly anyway). The buses are owned by private companies, so the more passengers the bus gets, the more money the company and the employees make. Some of these drivers will speed, switch lanes and run the red light in an effort to get passangers on the bus and risking a bunch of people's lives, and their own, in the process.
Do not get me started on the bus stops. They're just suggestions, just as much as the traffic rules are suggestions. These buses will pretty much stop anywhere to pick people up but they won't do that when people need to get off the bus. It's not uncommon to see people waiting to catch a bus around a sign that says "Paradero prohibido" (Prohibited stop) and the bus will stop where it's not supposed to so long as there isn't a cop in sight. Every corner is pretty much a bus stop, so the bus might stop at every corner. Now, how do you go about getting off the bus? Some big buses have a button on the door you can push, but those are rare. The most common way is to let the cobrador know (usually by yelling it out) where it is you need to get off the bus in advance. But even then, they will sometimes go too far and then you have to walk back. Now there are tons of different routes, and you would think there's written information available to everyone on which buses go where, but there isn't. You just have to learn which bus to take by asking around.
One other thing that I don't like about the buses is that a lot of street vendors will get on the bus to sell stuff. Some vendors get on the bus and walk down the aisle hoping someone will buy something from them. Some vendors get on the bus, wish everyone a good morning/afternoon/evening, apologize for being disruptive and then go on to tell everyone why they're doing what they're doing before walking down the ailse to get people to buy whatever they're selling. Most of them are men, but it's not rare to see a lady do this. Some of them say they used to be in jail and now they're trying to live a better life, others say they used to do drugs or alcohol and now they're trying to make an honest living. One guy got on the bus one time to say he was HIV+ and that he didn't have enough money to buy his meds. One time this young guy got on the bus to sell candy since he couldn't afford paying his college tuition. Some people preach the Word, others play the guitar or sing (some of them are good) and some are just too young to go to "work". It breaks my heart to see kids who should be in school or playing hide-and-seek get on the bus and work for money. I don't usually buy stuff from these people since I don't know whether they're telling the truth, but tonight I felt very convicted.
A 40-something-year-old looking man got on the bus and, after introducing himself and stuff, said he used to be employed but his company started laying people off without any previous notice and, unfortunately, he got laid off and now he needs to find a way to support his wife and 3 underage children. He said his kids needed to be fed just as much as his wife and him needed to eat, and he also said that kids don't understand the words, "I don't have money" or "I can't provide for you right now". He then talked about life being unfair and how we all should help one another in times of need. He pulled a bag full of candy and started to sell it for 0.20 cents a piece or 3 pieces of candy for 0.50 cents. I was just convicted. I reached into my pocket to get money to buy candy (which was really good, I must say). Life is unfair. I have had my fair share of disappointment this year. We must help one another in times of need, specially now more than ever due to this financial global crisis we have going on. We can't predict the future. No one can fortell what will happen to us tomorrow. There is no way to find out what will befall us. We may be in need, we may need a helping hand, and we may not get it.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
A new door opens.
I had a phone interview this morning with a charity from London called HILT. After my plans to go to Scotland went down the drain, I was told that a this charity has open volunteering positions for guys, so I filled out an application form, scanned it and e-mailed it. To my amazement, I got a response the next day!!! We arranged to have the interview today at 5:30 am Lima time.
I get so anxious everytime I have an interview or training or that sort of stuff. I don't know if it's just me or if it's something that happens to most people. I decided to go to bed at 10 pm the night before in order to get plenty of sleep, but that didn't work very well. I awoke several times between 10pm and 4:30am, and then I just couldn't sleep at all. I was wide awake and ready to do this. For some reason I thought I was going to be called at 5 am and then I realized it was 5:30 am, so I went online for a while and grabbed a bite to eat. Junior, stop rambling!!!!!!
The phone rang twice before I picked it up. "Here goes nothing", I thought. The connection was perfect, which is really weird since I live pretty close to the airport and there's usually a lot of interference, especially when I'm on the cell phone, but everytime I get a call from abroad the connection is just perfect. No echo, no delay at all, no static, NADA! After exchanging the usual phone pleasentries, I was asked some questions about what I knew about the charity and why I wanted to volunteer with them and how I could be of help to them. If you clicked on the link above, you'll see that HILT works with adults that have learning disabilities and their goal is to help them to live independently. I was then explained how the program works and whatnot. Now they're going to try to get references from me and after that I'll have to get a police check and mail it to them. After all of that we'll discuss when I can start and where in East London I'll be working and of course, I'll have to apply for a visa again.
This will definetely take some time, and I hope things work out for me this time. I told the interviewer what happened to me before and she said they do have everything they need to sponsor volunteers (which doesn't guarantee my getting a visa anyway). At least I can rest assured that this charity has everything in order. I don't really see why I would get a visa denied this time, but you never know. Embassies are just fickle. Very fickle. I will continue posting as things develop.
I still can't believe how awake I feel. Coffee will be my best friend for the next few days...
I get so anxious everytime I have an interview or training or that sort of stuff. I don't know if it's just me or if it's something that happens to most people. I decided to go to bed at 10 pm the night before in order to get plenty of sleep, but that didn't work very well. I awoke several times between 10pm and 4:30am, and then I just couldn't sleep at all. I was wide awake and ready to do this. For some reason I thought I was going to be called at 5 am and then I realized it was 5:30 am, so I went online for a while and grabbed a bite to eat. Junior, stop rambling!!!!!!
The phone rang twice before I picked it up. "Here goes nothing", I thought. The connection was perfect, which is really weird since I live pretty close to the airport and there's usually a lot of interference, especially when I'm on the cell phone, but everytime I get a call from abroad the connection is just perfect. No echo, no delay at all, no static, NADA! After exchanging the usual phone pleasentries, I was asked some questions about what I knew about the charity and why I wanted to volunteer with them and how I could be of help to them. If you clicked on the link above, you'll see that HILT works with adults that have learning disabilities and their goal is to help them to live independently. I was then explained how the program works and whatnot. Now they're going to try to get references from me and after that I'll have to get a police check and mail it to them. After all of that we'll discuss when I can start and where in East London I'll be working and of course, I'll have to apply for a visa again.
This will definetely take some time, and I hope things work out for me this time. I told the interviewer what happened to me before and she said they do have everything they need to sponsor volunteers (which doesn't guarantee my getting a visa anyway). At least I can rest assured that this charity has everything in order. I don't really see why I would get a visa denied this time, but you never know. Embassies are just fickle. Very fickle. I will continue posting as things develop.
I still can't believe how awake I feel. Coffee will be my best friend for the next few days...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Dessert Day extravaganza at work!
One of my supervisors at work had a really cool and sweet idea this past week. She asked everyone to bring to work some kind of dessert to share with everyone else! Not everyone at work brought something to eat but most people did and it was a sweet extravaganza! We had chocolate cake, crema volteada, more cake, ice cream, arroz con leche de lucuma, lemon pie, apple pie and whole bunch of other goodies. I can't make any kind of dessert so I just bought M&Ms to go with the ice cream my friend bought.
This is the second time in two weeks that I eat so much to the point of feeling sick. The aftermath: I have gained 5 kilograms (around 9 pounds).
This is the second time in two weeks that I eat so much to the point of feeling sick. The aftermath: I have gained 5 kilograms (around 9 pounds).
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Change of Plans....
It turns out that my visa was refused correctly by the UK Consulate in New York. They based their refusal on the fact that I didn't show a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), which I thought was baloney because the invitation letter I got from the Scottish charity was supposed to be such certificate. Well, it turns out I was wrong. A COS is not a a certificate per se, it's a number that sponsors (in my case the charity in Edinburgh) are supposed to get by paying a fee at the Foreign Office. Once the sponsor has obtained such COS number, they are supposed to assign it to whoever they want to come to the UK as a volunteer. It follows that the COS number has to be stated on the letter of invitation and I did not have that!!!!
Appealing, therefore, would not work since the consulate had a reason to deny my application. I wish I had known about the COS number before applying for a visa but it's too late now. The coordinator of the volunteer program acknowledged that it wasn't my fault I didn't get the visa, but the charity's for not doing what they're supposed to do. Needless to say, I am pretty dissapointed and upset.
So what happens now? The coordinator said that a different organization in London has openings for males to volunteer. This would be a different type of volunteering though. In Scotland I was going to spend time with people my age that have no social or independent-living skills in order to encourage them and be a role model. If I end up in London, then I'll be around adults with learning disabilities who want to live independently and my job would be to help them and give them moral support. I don't really have a problem working with adults, but it may not be as cool as being with people my age. Plus, living in London might be better than living in Edinburgh (No offense to y'all Scots, but I think Londoners speak better English) and I can always visit Edinburgh when I'm there.
Now I'll have to fill out a form for the new charity, have a phone interview and apply for a visa again. Since it wasn't my fault I didn't get the visa last time, the coordinator said I wouldn't have to worry about paying the application fee again. Hopefully things will work out this time around.
Appealing, therefore, would not work since the consulate had a reason to deny my application. I wish I had known about the COS number before applying for a visa but it's too late now. The coordinator of the volunteer program acknowledged that it wasn't my fault I didn't get the visa, but the charity's for not doing what they're supposed to do. Needless to say, I am pretty dissapointed and upset.
So what happens now? The coordinator said that a different organization in London has openings for males to volunteer. This would be a different type of volunteering though. In Scotland I was going to spend time with people my age that have no social or independent-living skills in order to encourage them and be a role model. If I end up in London, then I'll be around adults with learning disabilities who want to live independently and my job would be to help them and give them moral support. I don't really have a problem working with adults, but it may not be as cool as being with people my age. Plus, living in London might be better than living in Edinburgh (No offense to y'all Scots, but I think Londoners speak better English) and I can always visit Edinburgh when I'm there.
Now I'll have to fill out a form for the new charity, have a phone interview and apply for a visa again. Since it wasn't my fault I didn't get the visa last time, the coordinator said I wouldn't have to worry about paying the application fee again. Hopefully things will work out this time around.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Your application has been refused.
Alas, I got my visa application for the UK denied. The last two weeks have been sheer torture since I went to the Embassy to drop pff my passport and other documents for processing. I got a UPS envelope this past Wednesday with my passport in it and a refusal letter. Needless to say, I was very disspointed and upset.
I was disspointed because, even though I knew my application could have been rejected, the odds were minimal. I had an invitation letter from the chartity in Edinburgh I was gonna be working with and a letter from my employer stating that I would get a 1-year leave of absence if I got the visa. I'm upset because the British consulate refused my application because, according to them, I didn't submit a certificate of sponsorship from a registered sponsor in the UK and because I didn't provide proof of maintenance. However, the invitation letter I got clearly stated that I was being offered a position as a volunteer to come to Scotland and that they were going to take care of me financially!!!!!!!!!!! So I guess the consulate didn't read the letter or perhaps they're illeterate, or maybe they just didn't care.
Anyways, the embassy will allow me to appeal their decision if I feel it's mistaken, so I am now trying to appeal. I'm really hoping things will go well this time. I really want to go to Scotland.
FYI: Citizens of countries that require a visa to the UK cannot get a visa in their own countries now. Passports and supporting documents have to be sent off to New York for processing. How ridiculous is that!!!!!!!
I was disspointed because, even though I knew my application could have been rejected, the odds were minimal. I had an invitation letter from the chartity in Edinburgh I was gonna be working with and a letter from my employer stating that I would get a 1-year leave of absence if I got the visa. I'm upset because the British consulate refused my application because, according to them, I didn't submit a certificate of sponsorship from a registered sponsor in the UK and because I didn't provide proof of maintenance. However, the invitation letter I got clearly stated that I was being offered a position as a volunteer to come to Scotland and that they were going to take care of me financially!!!!!!!!!!! So I guess the consulate didn't read the letter or perhaps they're illeterate, or maybe they just didn't care.
Anyways, the embassy will allow me to appeal their decision if I feel it's mistaken, so I am now trying to appeal. I'm really hoping things will go well this time. I really want to go to Scotland.
FYI: Citizens of countries that require a visa to the UK cannot get a visa in their own countries now. Passports and supporting documents have to be sent off to New York for processing. How ridiculous is that!!!!!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Mary Jane is legal SO LONG AS...
So it seems like cabannis is legal in Peru as long as you only possess 8 grams of it and as long as you're not in possession of any other drugs. It follows that, marihuana becomes illegal if you possess more than 8 grams or if you're caught with it AND a different type of drug. My opinion? This is just as backwards as sticking your arm out the window when driving to signal you're going to make a turn instead of using the turn lights *rolling eyes and sighing*
I don't think pot should be legal AT ALL. I don't care if it's not addictive or whatever. It's not healthy and it's sale and consumption should be strictly prohibited. Just my opinion.
I don't think pot should be legal AT ALL. I don't care if it's not addictive or whatever. It's not healthy and it's sale and consumption should be strictly prohibited. Just my opinion.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
David after dentist.
There hasn't been a lot to update on recently. It's still summer here and I have had enough of it! I'm now in the process of getting my visa to the UK and it seems like I'll have an interview this coming Thursday. After the interview, my passport and supporting documents need to go to New York where my visa will be processed. Yes, weird.
Work has become pretty slow recently but it's going well. I'm about to finish my Portuguese lessons also and that's pretty exciting! So that's about all I have been up to as of late. Nothing too eventful.
A good friend of mine, Dawna, left Peru last night after being here for a bit over 3 months. We go to hang out some before she left and we watched this hillarious video of a doped up kid on YouTube. Enjoy!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs
Work has become pretty slow recently but it's going well. I'm about to finish my Portuguese lessons also and that's pretty exciting! So that's about all I have been up to as of late. Nothing too eventful.
A good friend of mine, Dawna, left Peru last night after being here for a bit over 3 months. We go to hang out some before she left and we watched this hillarious video of a doped up kid on YouTube. Enjoy!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs
Sunday, February 22, 2009
On being skinny.
It's really annoying when people point out how skinny I am. I don't really mind it too much from my close friends, but when it comes from people I'm not to familiar with, or even worse, people I don't like too much; then it's just plainly annoying. I don't see what the problem with being skinny is. Fat people don't get told they're fat in their faces, so I don't see why us slender people need to be told, "you are so thin, what's wrong?"
But it's even more annoying when it comes from the two people that irritate me the most: my parents. I have noticed that Mom has been trying to get me to eat pretty much 24/7 since she's been in town. She has not been annoying about it until about 10 minutes ago when she asked me to eat out and I said I wasn't hungry. She asked me what I was going to eat and I said "nothing" and then she asked me if there was milk in the fridge for me to drink. That's when I lost it and asked her why she was worrying so much about it. What came out of her mouth was the usual, "I worry because you are too skinny". I have been skinny my friggin entire life. I guess Mom wants me to be all fat (no offense here) so she can have peace of mind about my being "healthy". Since when does being fat equal good health and since when being skinny necessarily equals illness?? The way most people in my own culture think just makes me want to tie a 50 pound rock around my waist and take a plunge into the ocean.
I'm not anorexic or anything. I'm just slender and comfortable with it, most of the time. So don't tell me "how skinny I look" and give me a condescending look while saying so unless you want to get a piece of my mind. I have spoken!
But it's even more annoying when it comes from the two people that irritate me the most: my parents. I have noticed that Mom has been trying to get me to eat pretty much 24/7 since she's been in town. She has not been annoying about it until about 10 minutes ago when she asked me to eat out and I said I wasn't hungry. She asked me what I was going to eat and I said "nothing" and then she asked me if there was milk in the fridge for me to drink. That's when I lost it and asked her why she was worrying so much about it. What came out of her mouth was the usual, "I worry because you are too skinny". I have been skinny my friggin entire life. I guess Mom wants me to be all fat (no offense here) so she can have peace of mind about my being "healthy". Since when does being fat equal good health and since when being skinny necessarily equals illness?? The way most people in my own culture think just makes me want to tie a 50 pound rock around my waist and take a plunge into the ocean.
I'm not anorexic or anything. I'm just slender and comfortable with it, most of the time. So don't tell me "how skinny I look" and give me a condescending look while saying so unless you want to get a piece of my mind. I have spoken!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Dumb 911 dispatcher
What kind of a dispatcher asks such kind of a question??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9WiX-Bu5GA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9WiX-Bu5GA&feature=related
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Women behind the wheel.
Driving in Lima may be crazy, but we have to at least be given credit for being skilled drivers. Women usually get stereotyped for being bad drivers and the following video confirms it. (Women, please don't be offended)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygtBxhFc24A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygtBxhFc24A
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A day at the zoo.
Today my family and I went to Parque de Las Leyendas, the zoo that's in my neighborhood. We had a great time out there even though it was a very hot day! We bought an overprized two liter bottle of Inka Kola since we knew we'd be walking a lot and thus we'd be thirsty. We got our tickets and went into the zoo, which is huge and very pretty. This zoo has been upgraged a lot in recent years and it's now worth a visit. This was not the case around 7 years ago when the zoo left a lot to be desired.
The zoo is divided into the 3 different regions we have in Peru: The coast, the Andes and the jungle. We started out by visiting the jungle and then the Andes and finally the coast, the latter made up of mostly animals that live in the ocean. It goes without saying the jungle is made up of all the tropical and exotic creatures such as monkeys, birds, serpents and the Andes was filled with llamas, alpacas and the like. There is also an aquarium and an international area for animals that are, der, international (zebras, hippos, etc). The highlight of our trip was when a guy stood too close to a llama and got spit by it!
When things don't go according to plan.
It isn't the first time it happens but it sure feels like the first time I feel like a failure. I guess I should learn not to count my chicken before they hatch, for making plans in advance can often result in complete disaster if things suddenly go wrong. This week is going by so slowly and even more so with my folks in town. Speaking of which, it is not all that bad -- or at least not as bad as I thought it'd be. I haven't been told what to do... at all, I think. And if I have, then it hasn't driven me up a wall the way it usually does. I guess my parents have finally gotten the message across.
Yesterday my parents, nephew and I went to this thing called Parque de la Imaginacion and it was so much fun! Basically it's a lot like a science fair but much cooler. They have lots of rad science projects about the solar system, the human body, pregnancy and whatnot. There is also a presentation on earthquakes where everyone sits on this bench that starts trembling at one point in the presentation, making it feel almost like a real earthquake. They also have this game where you have to use your body weight to get a ball all the way down to the bottom through some racks. Dad tripped and feel but he wasn't hurt, so it was funny :)
We then went to lunch and then shopping for a while at one of the nearby malls in town. My uncle's wedding will be this Saturday and this week feels like it's going by soooooo slowwwwwly.
Yesterday my parents, nephew and I went to this thing called Parque de la Imaginacion and it was so much fun! Basically it's a lot like a science fair but much cooler. They have lots of rad science projects about the solar system, the human body, pregnancy and whatnot. There is also a presentation on earthquakes where everyone sits on this bench that starts trembling at one point in the presentation, making it feel almost like a real earthquake. They also have this game where you have to use your body weight to get a ball all the way down to the bottom through some racks. Dad tripped and feel but he wasn't hurt, so it was funny :)
We then went to lunch and then shopping for a while at one of the nearby malls in town. My uncle's wedding will be this Saturday and this week feels like it's going by soooooo slowwwwwly.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Another rough week begins...
So my folks made it into town around eight in the morning, and I had gone to bed at 2 am. I had to get out of bed against my own will and welcome my folks and my newphew, who have never seen me with a grown beard before. After chatting and catching up on stuff, we had breakfast and then my family proceeded to unpack and stuff. And where were they unpacking? In my room!!!! I had a bad feeling I would have to share the bed, or worse sleep on the couch, but thanfully my parents decided they'd drag an extra mattress that sits on my bed into the living room and my nephew is sleeping on the couch so that I can have my rather small room to myself!!!
I wasn't really feeling like touring around town since I was so sleepy, so we just went to Plaza San Miguel and did some shopping. We then went to a few supermarkets and bought groceries and then we came back home. I collapsed into my bed instantly and napped. We were going to go to that water fountain park downtown but I got up somewhat late. We then had a light dinner and my whole family (uncle, aunt, cousin and wife) talked about visiting the ever-famous water fountain park together sometime this week. I just don't feel like playing tour guide this week.
My folks are usually pretty annoying and manipulative but it hasn't been too bad... yet. They're trying to tidy up my room and stuff and it seems like they'll be here for around a week and a half. It's sad for me to say I never look forward to spending time with my folks. Having grown up with them and all their over protection, I now feel free to be without them.
I wasn't really feeling like touring around town since I was so sleepy, so we just went to Plaza San Miguel and did some shopping. We then went to a few supermarkets and bought groceries and then we came back home. I collapsed into my bed instantly and napped. We were going to go to that water fountain park downtown but I got up somewhat late. We then had a light dinner and my whole family (uncle, aunt, cousin and wife) talked about visiting the ever-famous water fountain park together sometime this week. I just don't feel like playing tour guide this week.
My folks are usually pretty annoying and manipulative but it hasn't been too bad... yet. They're trying to tidy up my room and stuff and it seems like they'll be here for around a week and a half. It's sad for me to say I never look forward to spending time with my folks. Having grown up with them and all their over protection, I now feel free to be without them.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Survived a Rough Week... Not Sure I Can Handle Another One...
My week started off pretty badly and it only got worse as it went on. I was completely sick Monday and Tuesday with diarrhea and stomach issues. My aunt cooked chicke broth with noodles and yellow potatoes but that wouldn't sit well and it'd make me go to the bathroom along with an upset stomach. I drank lots of Gatorade to avoid getting dehydrated but I just couldn't eat anything that wouldn't make me go to the bathroom in heaps of pain a few minutes afterwards. I never got nauseous again, which was good. I'd rather have diarrhea than be nauseous. By Wednesday I had more energy and I decided to go to work, only to be given some good and bad news which I will be more than happy to share with anyone personally.
My mom called me today to let me know she, Dad and my newphew are coming into town tomorrow morning. And my uncle isn't getting married till NEXT Saturday, which means I'll have to put up with my ever-nagging folks for a week. Hopefully I'll be busy with work, Portuguese lessons and "other activities" during the week. Mom and Dad just happen to be very worrisome and sort of manipulative. I hate it when they tell me what I should do and how I shoould do it, I hate it when they tell me I'm too skinny, I hate it when they ask my why I don't shave, I hate it when they tell me to not walki around barefoot..... UGH! I'm never gonna be a parent. I don't want to have to worry about someone else's life, especially my own kids'. Am I a selfish, self-centered jerk? Maybe I am. Am I a bad and ungratedul son? Maybe I am. I just endured a horrible week and I sure don't want to have to endure another one that involves my parents!!!!!
Advise of the day: Don't ever get diarrhea like I did.
My mom called me today to let me know she, Dad and my newphew are coming into town tomorrow morning. And my uncle isn't getting married till NEXT Saturday, which means I'll have to put up with my ever-nagging folks for a week. Hopefully I'll be busy with work, Portuguese lessons and "other activities" during the week. Mom and Dad just happen to be very worrisome and sort of manipulative. I hate it when they tell me what I should do and how I shoould do it, I hate it when they tell me I'm too skinny, I hate it when they ask my why I don't shave, I hate it when they tell me to not walki around barefoot..... UGH! I'm never gonna be a parent. I don't want to have to worry about someone else's life, especially my own kids'. Am I a selfish, self-centered jerk? Maybe I am. Am I a bad and ungratedul son? Maybe I am. I just endured a horrible week and I sure don't want to have to endure another one that involves my parents!!!!!
Advise of the day: Don't ever get diarrhea like I did.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Being sick is NOT fun.
I haven't been to the ER since I was in 6th grade because I ate too much cocoa with sugar and my body didn't react too well. Well, this past Sunday I had to pay the Emergency Room a grim visit due to a case of the runs along with vomiting.
It all began before leaving for church on Sunday. I had a little bit of diarrhea but I didn't think it was a big deal, so when I came back home I fixed some fried bacon (now the bacon had been in a bag in the fridge for days) and eggs and some cold limonade, which most likely caused all this misery. I hadn't slept well the night before so I was feeling so tired after lunch I decided to take a nap, something I never do but I was so tired I decided to take one. I got up a while later with an upset stomach, a fever, chills and nausea. I went over to the bathroom and then decided to tell my cousin to give me a pill or something. By that time I was shaking all over and my blood pressure dropped to 110/30!!!!
And then I puked the fried bacon around 3 different times and my diarrhea was worse. The pills I took made me feel better for a short while but then things got worse and my cousin took me to the ER at midnight. The doctor said I was pretty dehydrated and so I got two bottles of saline solution through an IV. The windows were open and the breeze made me shiver a lot. The nurse would not close the window for some reason so my aunt got me a quilt and a couple of hours later I was sweating bullets. I felt better afterwards and I got discharged at around 4 am. I'm no longer nauseous, but I'm not regular yet. I didn't go to work today and I most likely won't be able to until the diarrhea is gone. I have drinking Gatorade and eating chicken broth and that still causes my stomach to be somewhat upset.
I'm so not telling my mom about this...
It all began before leaving for church on Sunday. I had a little bit of diarrhea but I didn't think it was a big deal, so when I came back home I fixed some fried bacon (now the bacon had been in a bag in the fridge for days) and eggs and some cold limonade, which most likely caused all this misery. I hadn't slept well the night before so I was feeling so tired after lunch I decided to take a nap, something I never do but I was so tired I decided to take one. I got up a while later with an upset stomach, a fever, chills and nausea. I went over to the bathroom and then decided to tell my cousin to give me a pill or something. By that time I was shaking all over and my blood pressure dropped to 110/30!!!!
And then I puked the fried bacon around 3 different times and my diarrhea was worse. The pills I took made me feel better for a short while but then things got worse and my cousin took me to the ER at midnight. The doctor said I was pretty dehydrated and so I got two bottles of saline solution through an IV. The windows were open and the breeze made me shiver a lot. The nurse would not close the window for some reason so my aunt got me a quilt and a couple of hours later I was sweating bullets. I felt better afterwards and I got discharged at around 4 am. I'm no longer nauseous, but I'm not regular yet. I didn't go to work today and I most likely won't be able to until the diarrhea is gone. I have drinking Gatorade and eating chicken broth and that still causes my stomach to be somewhat upset.
I'm so not telling my mom about this...
So it begins....
Now I have my own blog account and will try to write as much as I can here... let's see how many people are interested in the stuff I have to write...
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