Time is flying

Luckily, Mare recovered to her old self by Saturday morning. We went up to Patacancha with a group of volunteers to get a tour and learn about the weaving project. Although I have been to Patacancha multiple times, this was the first time that I actually learned so much about the weaving project. We were able to buy some goods from the weavers and also enjoyed a watia. A watia is potatoes cooked in an earth oven. I bought myself a pretty bracelet and also claimed a belt "chumpi" being made by one of the weavers. Emma had to return to Patacancha for a tour on Monday so she said she would pick it up for me. -- Later I find out that the weaver sold it and is now making me a new one to be picked up on Saturday!

Anyway, Patacancha was beautiful and Mare and Betsy really enjoyed themselves. Betsy bought a tiny little hat for Max (they have decided on a name) and I bought a really cute, soft, baby alpaca hat for Elliot. Hopefully he will like it! After Patacancha, we came home and packed our overnight bags for a night out in Cusco.

Phil, Betsy's husband, was flying in on Sunday morning so we made a night out of the trip to Cusco. We got into town and were starving so we dropped our stuff at our hostel on the Plaza de Armas and headed to get some appetizers and a beer at an Irish pub nearby. Unfortunately, the pub was pretty crowded and we had to sit at the bar near this lone gentleman. Of course he started talking to us, and within ten minutes, we wished we could have been anywhere else. He was that stereotypical, ignorant American tourist that makes us cringe when we hear them speak. He had only flown in that day and was well on his way to being drunk. He kept getting louder and louder and saying annoying things like "let's show them how we do it in America!!". He was yelling for the bartenders and then decided to start saying "England sucks" really loudly to annoy the English girls sitting near us (because England and U.S. tied in their world cup game). Then he started railing on how bad English food was -- we were a little perplexed as it isn't like American food is known for its culinary genius!! -- needless to say, we finished our food and drinks and hightailed it out of there. At one point, he said, I was supposed to be meeting my friends here but they haven't shown up. We were not surprised!

So we headed back to shower and although the water pressure was minimal, at least the water was warm for the first time in two weeks for me! Yes, our shower is still broken. I have gotten used to the cold showers though. Anyway, we then went to dinner at this great little restaurant that Hallie introduced us to. The woman who owns it is French. The food is great. From there, we had some cocktails at a bar while waiting for the dance clubs to get going. We wanted to go to Mama Afrika but there was a reggae band playing, so we went in search of Roots. That was closed due to renovations, so we ended up at Mythologie. Betsy had gone home to bed so it was Mare and I dancing the night away just like old times. Yes, we did end up on the bar for at least three songs. At one point, Mare turned to me and said "are we too old to dance on the bar?" We both quickly smiled and shook our heads, "NO!" so up we went. I ran into one of the doctors and a nurse from the clinic!

we had a great time dancing. We left when the DJ started playing songs for a second time. Unfortunately, with our hostel on the Plaza, we were awoken at 7am to the sound of marching bands and fireworks. We walked down to the big open market so Mare could buy some gifts and then we went to get Phil at the airport. His flight was a bit delayed. We made it back to Ollanta around 2pm, ate some lunch and then Mare and I went home to relax and rest while Phil and Betsy got situated in their hostel.

Monday was a regular day. I worked in the clinic, worked on administrative stuff and then had a couple meetings. I have a really good group of volunteers right now. They are all very enthusiastic. My replacement arrives tomorrow. I have been sick since this afternoon, so I will probably just have to meet with her and give her an orientation on Thursday since I am still pretty weak and tired. I think I will need another day in bed. I am pretty positive I have the flu. Fever, chills, achy all over and horrible headache. The majority of patients coming through the Posta these past two weeks have had the flu. I am sure I picked it up there.

We've been having transportation strikes lately and so because there are most likely going to be strikes on Thursday and Friday (the road to Urubamba and Cusco will be closed) and Phil's flight is on Friday, he and Betsy are going to have to go to Cusco tomorrow to be safe. Phil, Bets and Mare went to Macchu Picchu today. I am anxious to hear how it was.

So now I am going back to bed. This is the longest I've been up since 12pm. The problem with being sick here is that there are no comfy couches to lounge on and watch tv. Heck, there are no televisions. So I was just bored hanging in my bed, dozing on and off. I just want to be healthy for when I come home.