And we are back

As many you have guessed I am now on my way back to England. 2 weeks out here has been amazing and really enjoyable. I have been accepted by the Bomberos station 14 (apparently as they were teasing me) and Captain said that I could come out again any time! I think it's safe to say I will and I will go out lots of times.

So the last day? Let's say I finished in style!

The morning was bad! We were due to go to see Feline but the chief was worried that a foreigner would not allowed to go into the air base (I know this makes no sense as I had been in 2 days before, they didn't care in fact the man wanted to see a white blonde female). So I was left at the station with no drivers so unable to go out! Having walked to the metro to get some bits I settle in for a snooze. Captain gets back and gets sent out straight away! When back again we go get food.

Now for those people who helped me raise money, we were due to spend it. We had an idea that one of the guys tht was hanging around station today was a pharmacist and out here it all depends on how much discount the pharmacist wants to give you! As its all for them we got a hefty (95%) discount so the money goes a lot further! Because of this we were not able to get the medicines for them but be assured Captain will send me a picture. 

So I mentioned leaving in style? Let's explain. There was a gas leak and I had convinced Captain to go with me to it as it is the last job for me. This turns out to be a full camping style cylinder of gas leaking. This happens a lot and they have to hose down the gas cylinder until empty to disperse the water. This took its time and the truck had to be refilled a couple of times. Post this we head back and get changed to go back to Captains. Another calls comes in. Captain chucks me a jacket (bearing in mind I'm in plain clothes) and off we go. It's a shooting! Shot in the leg by a (as Captain tells me) a .22 calibre. Has maybe 500ml blood loss and going into shock. There is people, police and cameras around. We get in the ambulance and go! Get to hospital, clear up and Captain gets a text from his girlfriend who said we were on TV! So yeah we head back, i have had my trauma so happy. but is this enough? o course not! As we are driving back out rescye truck suddenly is behind us and we have been flagged down for an assult. we take a look, even though we arw lut of service, and there is quite a bit of blood around. This one had been stabbed 4 times and there was evidence of defence wounds on the hands. Someone had a bad intent here, as twice in the chest, one in the neck and one in the leg. 

We get treatin and get another ambulance to take him. We finally head back (we were about 4 blocks from the station) pick up stuff and go. 

Bearing in mind it's now very late, and I haven't packed. Packing done, 2 hours sleep and a dash for the airport. As I am writing this I am about 5 hours into a 12 hour flight, trying to watch the movie that is on but cannot because the lovely couple in front of me are having a lovely romantic time!  

I will be at the minimum in Madrid when this is posted. When settled in England I will post again to sum up my trip to Peru And add a few links that I need to add for you guys. 

I have a question though, do you want me to keep blogging when back in the UK about life as a 4th year student and stuff? Leave us a post or email (samanthadsweet@gmail.com) and give me your thoughts. If I don't know you I would like to hear from you, if I do know you, well love to chat.

Until England

Nearly last day

So today was my penultimate day. I have 2 days to catch up on, here goes.

Yesterday we actually made it to the ladder truck. I have mentioned this before and this time we actually made it! After an earlish start (I say this because I get up earlier for work), we head to station and then the air base where the ladder truck is kept. As you also know, I have nicknames for trucks. This one I am calling the feline. Why? Well it's because of what Captain said when he explained the truck to me. They've had this truck for a few months now, and it was donated to them from Canada where they no longer used it. Being in Peru, the men has a competition to see who could fix the most on the truck. They have used the truck operationally a few times however all they have rescued is cats, hence Feline. May I also add that Feline makes the beast look like a kitten! 

So this truck needs work. It needs de-rusting, sand papering and painting. After this all the bits inside need fixing. Captain has discovered that the ladder works though and had a play. Due to certain issues we are going back for a few more hours, with a spray painter, and show the professionals how to do the job properly. 

This took several hours up. Post this we were doing another night shift (an my last) in the fire house. Nearly 36 hours after starting I am still here! In this time, we have been busy. Captain sorted out his office and I responded numerous times. By numerous I mean about 8 yesterday alone, and considering there is only 200 cAlls in the whole of Lima that is impressive. There was still nothing interesting.

So this morning I did miss all the calls that were good. Due to general tiredness and finally suffering from the foreign water syndrome I missed the most interesting call of the whole 2 weeks, which was gutting as it was the type of call I wanted to experience out here. 

After the driver of the day having to take a little time out to sort his normal work, we were left non operational for a while. Italian finally took me to get something that I have wanted to get for a little while. Back to station and more calls. And apparently being attacked by Spartan, who is being a pain today. I still want to take him home.

Well these last 2 days have been very easy to sum up. The ambulance has gone off to assist in some football match so we are out of service. A gentleman has turned off what I had on TV and put the football on. And now to get away, I shall nap.

Tomorrow is my final day, and myself and Captain need to tie up the loose ends. This includes spending the money some of you guys helped me get, having another afternoon at the firehouse and seeing the ladder truck again. 

These 2 weeks have gone so fast and it has been an amazing experience. Little note to mum; I don't want to come home

Adios 

Monday morning madness

So what am I doing this fine Monday morning? Why I am mopping up water with a dustpan and brush. So Captain's flat has flooded again, the first time being just before I came out to Peru. Captain had been awake since 4am mopping up the place, apparantly stealthly as Ididn't hear a thing and woke up to have a flooded room. As fate will have it, the corner of the room where my phone was charging and on the floor was up hill so remained dry. Now captain is fixing things and I am writing this.

Comedy moment over, I have noticed I haven't posted all weekend. The weekend has been interesting to say the least. I am finding more people that speak English, and every one can speak English a little better. I have spent 2 nights in a row at the fire station. The first being friday night. After responding all night we went and done other days and came back and spent another night. Because one of the drivers who are actually paid is on compassionate leave, Captain is having to step in to drive over these nights. Saturday, after our day helping peoplestudy for exams, reading and telling stories, we went back to the station house to find it all locked up. Captain had a 7am run so we kind of had to be at the station. The 3 shutters were down and the door locked from the inside as the normal lock was broken. A man who also showed up (blind drunk and stumbling everywhere) also couldn't get iin. After him ringing the doorbell many times to no response, Capptain decided he might have a screwdriver to take the window out to get us in and he can fix it (When you live in Peru, you learn many thingsin terms of DIY from fixing a fire truck, to fixing the boiler as I have now seen him do both).A higher rank man turns up at this point with a remote control and opens it for us.

So yeah that was that night. After a couple of jobs and a few hours sleep (or not sleeping) the next day arrives.

Captain goes for this run that takes several hours as he is babysitting the teenagers that can't complete it and I play on the ambulances more. After 4 or 5 jobs, a failed attempt for the firefighters to wake me up for breakfast Iam up, showered and fed. Captain's friend that took me to central Lima has said he will take me to Miraflores market and do the whole touristy souvineer shopping. Due to circumstances he could not make it so I settle in to watch Ice Age as there is no vehicles in service. Another friend of Captains, who is from here called Italian as he tells us many times he is part Italian but can't get an Italian passport, offers to take me to Miraflores and have a wonder. He helped me get the touristy bits (all but 2 small things), showed me the beach shopping centre, came for food with me and showed me the beach. Many hours later we return to Captain's house. Now, half of my stuff is now at the fire house. The door to the girls bedroom was locked by the girls and they had all left. That stuff abandoned until today I head to sleep. Cue the beginning of this post with the water, sleeping through the mess,waking up to wet floors and very luckily no wet things.

Now that most of the water is gone, Captain has decided to give up and get a plumber to fix the boiler so we can have hot water so we can head out to play with big BIG trucks and the rest of the day.

Here is some photos to keep you amused whilst I go out to play.

Being a tourist

I am well over half of my time out here and so it was time I played tourist. Captain's friend was my personal guide for the day to show me some sites of central Lima. 

The way went a little like this.

First in the only style of Peru, taxi to the centre. First was a very beautiful church. Beautiful isn't strong enough the detail was so impressive and the height of the altars was unbelievable! Many pictures later we moved onto an art gallery. The space seemed wasted, knowing that it used to be a bank. Very minamalist for the space there was! Better use would be a museum or something. Hey, why not a museum of Los Bomberos. There is enough history to fill the space.

Talking about Los Bomberos, after a quick look at the cathedral and the presidents house, we went to the first and oldest fire station. It was amazing to see that it was started in 1866. Here, I saw more old ambulances and more history about the firefighters. These guys really need to write a book about the complete history. Captain has told me there is one being written and I have to say I would quite happily buy it! It really is interesting! 

Later aswell we went to the catacombs of Lima. These are the tombs many important people were buried. As well as information about the Congress there was a tour of some of the catacombs. It is safe to say there was more bones than anyone could count! 

After a quick look around some of the market, time to head back to the station. After relaxing for a little while it is time to Don the jump suit and start work. That said since I got back 6 hours ago no emergency Has come through to any stations! 

Today really has been very touristy and I have enjoyed it. There is nothing I can joke about or anything so it is a little boring. Those of you who are blessed to see my photos on return to England will see some of the history I have mentioned here, those not there is a really good website and I encourage you all to have a look at some of the history of Peru, if you can get it in your own language not Spanish!

Www.google . com

Have fun , I am 

Career under consideration...

I'm in the wrong job!
As mentionec before there is a new dog that was rescued about a week ago now. He is only a puppy. The ,guys here called him Spartan.
Spartan is a typical Peruvian male. As Captain said, he is either hungry or horny. He has definately been both! He decided he didn't like me this morning, and decided to scratch and bite me if I even walked anywhere where he could get! After a while I got bored and brought him treats and a chew toy. Later, we went out again to get him a collar (red of course! No other colour would do) and a ball to play with. After a good 4 hours of chewing his toys he is now normal and not attacking me! I definately need to be a dog trainer. On a side note, in the shop we went to there was a litter of new puppies and I fell in love with one and gutted I can't have him!

Back to the real life. I am getting a good number of calls today! And really learning and enjoying it here. Surprisingly, there are 3 or 4 people who have good English and no body knew until the English lass turns up. Even so, I do find the language barrier frustrating, especially when you know that the patient is fine and needs some gentle girly encouragement and will be fine.

I dont't really know what to write about the last day, not much has happened. I have been on several jobs, been to hospital a few times, come back. In the morning there was a large fire. Everyone (literally) went to it in 2 trucks and that left me there with the cleaner. I am not allowed to play on the fire enginces as my speciality is health. I used the time wisely though to go upstairs and nap. The guys there (and girls although there are very few) are being good, inviting me to join them for lunch, encouraging me to go out etc. Captain was off doing what a Captain needs to do, so Iate (ironically chinese) with the men. I did the whole needed more milk, went to the petrol station, went to get some money out too (I have money on a cash passport), and the machine swallowed my card. Knowing Ihave another account linked to it and the card is safe at the flat, I cancel the card and all is well. At least i know ATMs are hungry, no matter where in the world they are.

Later, the guys wanted to make use of the nearly Paramedic that they have been looking after. IThe station had a meeting of all the 1st chiefs and 2nd chiefs of all the stations in Lima. The 2nd chief of all of Lima had something in his eye, and asked me to take a look (it took longer to try and understand what they wanted!). Half a syringe full of water he is happy.

I have a text from mum today saying have Igot enough money. Now, I wasn't sure how much I would need to loaded a US dollar cash card with more than enough and can get money out in their currency (Nuevo sol). What I hadn't realised is how cheap it is here! An example, A packet of 20 malborough cigarettes in England would cost, what, £7.50 ish? I am sure my cooperative friends will correct me the real price but its near enough. Here, they cost 8 Sol. To give you an idea, this is less than 2 pound! 1 pound is about 4.8 sol I think!. However, some things aren't cheap. A bottle of Peruvian wine would cost about 5 pound (I haven't actually had any alcohol since the plane!) And the well known brands a little more. However, on that note, anyone want anything cheap?im taking orders....

I'm learning.

So I am learning quickly now that I am in day 6 (Already?!).
1) All males think the same, whether human or not.
2) The bigger the fire engine the smaller the rescuee (more on this another day)
3) Sleep light and run.

Iam back at the fire house  and spending another night here and responding during the night. Captain has been taken off his lead and is allowed to come out today (in other words, not been sent to help other people out) so I plan to be very involved.

There are a huge number of differences between their ambulances and ours. Here are a few;
In England, ambulances generally are big yellow trucks with blue lights and lots of noise. There is lots of room in the back and there is all the equipment that I need (well, normally). Here, they are white transit vans with something that says ambulance and has red flashy things and also make a lot of noise. This is where the simalarities end. Inside, there is barely enough room to move as the stretcher is there. The equipment is limited and has its money worth of use. Put it this way, sometimes here you have to take üse once" as "this is the first use for this patient. Next time we meet them we shall use another one."
Nothing is done in half measures aswell. If you are called out, it is genuine. So this is the capital for Peru. There is about 200 calls per day. Lets take another capital of another well known country. They recieve 6000 a day, and most don't need hospital.
That said, Peru ambulances still have better suspension.

Back to the day. Its only 7pm here so my day is just beginning. After many story swapping between me and captain, we end up at the station house. Captain has to fix the green monster (rescue unit) as it STILL has a hole in it. Although Captain is not due to work until 7, we are here. As I was wrtiting this we get a call... someone intoxicated. Some things never change!
So I am leaving you here and learning more spanish. Ishall update on the night tomorrow.

I shall leave one thought though. Los Bomberos are not heros, they are normal people who think they are spidermen (They all have webbing which they throw over a balcony and tie on for a quick escape).

Buenas noches.

Parade and pool

Ok so I hope you have found this entertaining, Captain certantly has! Day 4 has provided a lot of waiting around. The Pippers have made Captain go and do several things that have taken him all day. The  poor bloke hasn't even been able to sleep much!
Waking up on the 4th day I was greeted to no ambulance and no fire engine. As Captain was sleeping the total of 3 hours he could have I wasn't able to go out. It turns out The Beast never returned post the "big" fire but kept getting sent elsewhere. The ambulance was out for the third time that night! Anyway, there were a load of people around in shorts and T-shirts. Part of the training is to do a sunday 7k run. After parade (Kind-of. My sister in my volunteer role, who I hope is reading, should teach them properly!), they leave. So I take advantage of a looong hot shower and writing yesterdays blog. They return several hours later and Captain naps. We all get lunch (nice fried chicken) and they are sent again on an event that they were on yesterday. Upstairs, there is a group of people practicing BLS (more like everything to become an ETA!). So, of course, I go and watch a few of the scenarios.
Now throughout my time being at the station house with people who don't speak English, naturally I have been learning some Spanish (If you know me, I did Spanish GCSE and waned to learn properly since). Apparantly, I am not that good. I went to the local mini shop, asked for any chocolate without nuts, and get presented with 4 types, Three have nuts! I go for the fourth which is fudge (which I also don't like)! Really, I wanted to get these mint oreo type things! Returning I play more games of pool, loose them all and just chill. There is no trucks out as there is no drivers! The rescue truck (now to be called green) is broken.leaking (green) coolant over the floor. Earlier, they tried to fix it with an egg white (Captain really needs to write a book about the "101 bizarre uses of eggs") and it didn't work. When Captain gets back we decide not to have another night in the fire house and head back to the flat.

Now, day 5 is more eventful. The day starts by chilling at the flat for a little while hearing stories about Captain in the varying countries he is from. If I learn nothing in these 2 weeks, I do know this:
-Don't get on the wrong side of Captain
-Don't pull a practical joke on Captain
-Don't come to Peru and graduate as a bombero.

So captain can make phone calls that relate him directly to the planes. He has threatened me with if I pull a practical joke on him, he will divert my plane elsewhere and not the UK. Understood.

I know we are going elsewhere today, not to Los Bomberos, although I don't know much. Iguess we shall see.