Arequipa, Peru: Clinical and Cultural Immersion
Report #1
March 10, 2009
The UNCW-SON students and faculty arrived in Arequipa to cool weather and dusty surroundings. There were mountains towering in the background; row after row. I was surprised not to see buildings on top of each other, but that would come later. Driving around the city was both amazing and shocking. When we first drove through Arequipa, I noticed what seemed to be vacant, run-down buildings with shattered glass surrounding the roof tops. I saw more mangy dogs than I did people. The gullies between the mountains are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. They are monstrous; so deep you can’t see the bottom and so magnificent. The area is scenic and one could not have imagined the diversity and beauty if someone had attempted to prepare you in advance.
The plateau cropping systems can be seen, layer upon layer, in the gullies. There are also grazing cows being tended by the people. The scene is strikingly beautiful. And then there were the Andes Mountains. They took my breath away. I’m not sure what impressed most seeing the snow caps or watching the lingering clouds or feeling the magnitude of it all. One can only stand and take it all in!
The group was taken to the Guesthouse and treated to an outstanding lunch consisting of soup as the first course followed by chicken, vegetables, and rice as the second course. Equally impressive was the bread and fruit served at every meal. After resting for awhile, eighteen of us were taken to the hostel. The hostel is a beautiful, three-story, fourteenth century accommodation in the city. The room I share has ceilings that reach over twenty feet. It has volcanic stone walls, a musty smell, and it was a little chilly. We speculate that it was a horse stall at one time. Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of the place. We later went to dinner at a local spot where I had a traditional dish called lomo saltado, which is loin beef, vegetables, and rice; it is probably the most tender meat I have ever eaten. On the second day we were provided a breakfast of avocados, fresh-squeezed papaya juice, and bread.
Following breakfast, the morning was spent in orientation conducted by Father Alex. As the founder and administrator of the Health Care Clinic, Father Alex introduced us to Peru, Arequipa, and the parish in which our experience will occur for the next few weeks. We learned about the country and the services provided in the clinic and community. It’s amazing to see how much has been accomplished and the strategies used to achieve the positive outcomes related to access and delivery of health care, to education, and the development of life-skills. Father Alex is a dedicated and inspiring priest; I hope to get to know him better throughout our stay here. The afternoon was spent reviewing the research study, the interview process, and engaging in mock interviews. I can’t wait to actually begin the work with the people of Arequipa; it’s going to be a great experience!
Amber Sherron Cox
First Semester Senior Nursing Major
On location in Arequipa, Peru
