A new colour uniform

I am slowly catching up. Because I decided to write this after I started I was a little behind. The plan is to get day 2, 3 and 4 written today!  

So, day 2. Today was not eventful. Captain had to sort bits and pieces out so that he could babysit me for the 2 weeks. This means he can work from home. What did I learn? The channels on TV that are in English and the book of game of thrones is as good as the TV programme. I wasn't abandoned though! We went for a walk to various shops and of course I am now in possession of 3L inka cola! Captain then had 3 hours of classes on a course he normally teaches (?!) and then back to the station 202 (nearest to Captain's house). Guess what? The fire engine still doesn't work! After much tinkering with it Captain is semi-happy. 

This is a good time to mention how the station numbers work. The station number is the order what they were formed. So, Captain's is 14 so the 14th formed. He also informs me this is 120 years old! The one near his house is 202, only formed in October. Not all stations are still working and each station has a "two-tone" that is the same as an English call sign. So how do I know the difference (bearin in mind I cannot tell the difference between cola and diet cola)? Well, lots of running from the men. Simple! 

So next is day 3. This starts with a (cold) shower and packing to spend the night at station 14, Captains station. A taxi across and many broken conversations later I am cleared to go play on the ambulances and given uniform! There is one condition, I have to go out with someone who speaks English, or at least has a good grasp of English! So, naturally, only Captain. There are many people walking in and out, and so many hands shaken and cheeks kissed (it is custom to greet people as they arrive and leave). Remember, this is a volunteer role, people have jobs aswell. 

Another dog comes bounding up to me. This was a dog rescued 2 days before, and still have attitude problems. The staff call him "Spartan." 

These volunteers have money to play with now thanks to all the kind people who helped me raise some. We went to buy adrenaline from a pharmacy but thy had none! So we went to the shop to buy food for everyone. So, knowing the luck of me, what happens? A call. Food dumped and a spring back to station and jump in the ambulance. My first call. This gentleman turned out to have drank industrial strength ethanol. I ask Captain why and get the answer "maybe because he is Peruvian?" For them medically minded, he was unconscious and had right bundle block (we know this thanks to the equipment I took them." To them not medical, he is ill. A trip to hospital, much waiting around and looking at ECGs later, back to station.

Captain has more duties to do so disappears for a few hours. Meanwhile, I play Peruvian pool and have conversations via google translate. At about midnight, there is another call. This is reported as a "big fire" and so there are 5 fire engines and an ambulance (only so I can go play) dispatched. Captain is driving. This fire is a little smoke from a window. We return back and sleep. 

So that is day 2 and 3. Please don't feel you have to read these, I started this by writing my own notes from Peru and Captain thought it was a good representation of life in Peru, so I agreed to write them here. 

Tune in later (well, morning for you English folks) for day 4! 

Photo: at "the fire."