Day #1: Incredible Peru

I am not big on being acknowledged on my birthday, but after that amazing video edited by Amanda which I just received, I was very happy. The room maid just knocked on my door to clean the room – I said “treinta minutos” (I will then go to lunch). She said, “Senor Joel (Yo-el),?” I said, “Si”. She said “feliz cumpleanos”. That was after receiving numerous deliveries of cakes and other items.

The staff and my hosts are incredibly kind. I arrived late last night to a very crowed Lima airport. Apparently, most of the US originating flights arrive between 11 PM and 1 AM. After about a 45 min wait to get through immigration, I was immediately confronted with the commercialism – including walking through the duty free shop to get to the baggage claim area after immigration. I was offered to buy everything from drivers to cell phones by dozens. The crowds were enormous.

It was great see Lucho (Jorge Castillo), my host, and my distinguished colleague Ana Lucia Seminario at the airport to greet me. It was very kind of them to come out so late. We arrived at the hotel around 1:00 AM and unpacked. Today I will go to lunch and tour with Lucho and others from the congress.

The schedule is compelling to say the least, but should be incredible. For example, after lecturing all day tomorrow, I will go to the Presidential Palace to meet with leadership. Then, we will have a full-fledged “Peruvian evening” with great food, entertainment, and dancing. After a late evening tomorrow, I will depart on a 5:30 AM flight to Cuzco the next day – altitude 11,000 ft. Will lecture a few hours later for several hours. My hosts there will take me around the city and to dinner. Will rise early Sunday for a 3 hour train ride to Machu Picchu. Can’t wait to see this. After returning late at night Sunday, will tour Cuzco Monday morning and return to Lima in the afternoon. The next morning (after a late dinner, of course, on Monday), will depart with the First Lady and entourage to Trujillo at 5:30 AM (is everything at 5:30 AM?). We will then take a 4 hour jeep ride to a remote village to observe oral health situation in the villages. We will return to Lima only at 11:30 PM that evening.

I will report with photos, videos, and voice notes as possible. I hope that ECOH and the local efforts here will connect in ways that will benefit many.

More soon.

Joel