Big Four Days

 

Well its been a big few days.  I am have been having too much fun so I haven’t been writing.  As it is I am sneaking in a quiet few minutes to start this post. Friday was a quiet morning at Clinica Guemes but that meant it was a good time to learn.  I have been pretty consistent in starting IVs which is awesome.  I also tried to do a lumbar puncture again, but needed help. The most exciting part was that I learned to intubate!  I mostly intubated two patients, with Rene’s close guidance. It makes so much more sense now…pretty cool. I have also finally figured out manual ventilation with a mask where I can manage the mask with one hand instead of two.

After class Friday afternoon I went to La Cordobesa, the almacen that Rene’s friend Juan owns (corner of Leguizamon and Martin Conejo).  I enjoyed a bunch of wine, some picada and some hot dogs.

Now (Sunday morning) I am in Purmamarca with Rene and his family.  He rented a house outside of town for the long holiday (Independencia, 9 de Julio) and his birthday (9 de Julio).  

I took the bus here, it was easier than I thought.  Platforma10 is the best website for looking at some major bus routes, like Salta to Jujuy.  Otherwise, the internet is not the way to go.  I took the bus to Jujuy (San Salvador de Jujuy) and at the bus terminal there, just walked around to the dozen or more bus companies that had signs indicating a bus to Purmamara. One had a bus leaving 2hours after I arrived, which would have been fine, I could have wandered Jujuy a bit, but I asked “hay un collective mas temprano”  “is there a bus earlier” and she directed me to Evelia.  They had a direct bus to Purmamarca leaving in about 10 minutes.  Perfect.

Purmamarca is (as described in Lonely Planet) more than anything, in the most beautiful location. It is clearly very touristy, but it is nice to get to be a tourist a little.  The place the Cadillo’s rented is 1-2km outside of town and it was a warm sunny afternoon, perfect for a walk. (Saturday)

It is incredible here.  Beautiful and empty.  There are many trucks that come by on their way from Chile to the rest of Argentina and to Bolivia.  Especially common are truckloads of used cars on their way to be sold in Bolivia. However, when the trucks are not passing, which is still pretty often, it is completely silent here. I haven’t been somewhere this quiet in a very long time.

Today, I am going to go with Daniela and anyone else to Tilcala. 

I was very lucky to be invited to join the Cadillo’s here for this trip. I do not know how to express my gratitude for their welcome.  Hopefully I can repay it someday.

(this is incomplete as I wrote it Sunday Morning and it is now Monday night, but I will edit this post later with more info)

Just a view from the bus window.

The center of Purmamarca

A shot from my walk up to the house. 

 Los ninos y los chanchitos.

 Just a view from the car.

 Yup.

 Oh and a picture of me!

 Some vicuna, wild on the side of the road.

Las Salinas (the salt flats)