As some of you may know, I was in Peru a couple of weeks ago doing some volunteer work in Cusco, Peru. The intent of the mission was to help people with serious eye issues/impediments. Through the help of many charities and donations (local and abroad), we were able to bring down thousands of glasses, medical equipment and a lot of basic medicine.
Over the course of 4 long days, we were able to assess and help roughly 2,000 people. The vast majority had never had their eyes examined and it was pretty sad seeing kids unable to see anything 10 feet away or older people with cataracts so bad that their vision was reduced to peripheral at best. I think the person that encapsulated best the 4 day mission was a state worker who could not speak, could barely hear and had virtually no vision left. We were able to refer him to a local specialist.
Here's a portrait of one of our patients. Her eyesight was terrible and all she wanted was the ability to differentiate between a 2 and 5 soles coin so that people couldn't take advantage of her.
During my downtime, I visited family and decompressed in and around Cusco, a very beautiful city if you've never been. I was also lucky enough to be there during Peru's independence day. What was interesting about being there on that day is the bullfighting event that happens in Cotabambas, a small village roughly 180KM or 6 hours away from Cusco. The villagers catch a condor in the mountains a few days before independence day and eventually, strap it to the back of a bull and do some bullfighting. It's a pretty spectacular event, and I wrote about it on my site. You can find the link here: http://cuibono.ca/events/bullfighting/
Robert,
First of all, thank you for your helping heart. I am originally from Lima Peru, currently living in China. You nd those who went with you helped many and you will not be forgotten by them I m sure.
I have visited Cusco ith my family a few years back and did attend a bullfight in a very small town outside of Cusco. The arena was literally a circular pit that dd a good job keeping the bull indie and away from onlookers. While it was similar to your event, yours looks a lot more exciting due to the condor. Thanks for sharing your pictures; like them very much.
Thanks for the link to your site, very interesting stuff. Will need to spend more time looking at your travel postings, thy look great.
Adding my China blog for your reference. Have you visited China? Fascinating in many ways.
Again, thanks for sharing such great stories and pictures.
God bless you and your caring heart.
www.onsetbayphoto.com/blog2
Carlos
Quite an adventure on all levels. Well done as a humanitarian experience as well as a never to be forgotten trip to the bull fight. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the nice message, much appreciated. The bullfight you saw also sounds interesting. The only thing I saw in a ring while down there was cockfighting, something that I won't really post about here given various sensitivities.
I haven't been to China but when I do, I'll send you a quick note. Looking forward to seeing your blog.
All the best
Robert
Jackal2854 wrote:
Robert,
First of all, thank you for your helping heart. I am originally from Lima Peru, currently living in China. You nd those who went with you helped many and you will not be forgotten by them I m sure.
I have visited Cusco ith my family a few years back and did attend a bullfight in a very small town outside of Cusco. The arena was literally a circular pit that dd a good job keeping the bull indie and away from onlookers. While it was similar to your event, yours looks a lot more exciting due to the condor. Thanks for sharing your pictures; like them very much.
Thanks for the link to your site, very interesting stuff. Will need to spend more time looking at your travel postings, thy look great.
Adding my China blog for your reference. Have you visited China? Fascinating in many ways.
Again, thanks for sharing such great stories and pictures.
God bless you and your caring heart.
www.onsetbayphoto.com/blog2
Carlos ...Show more →
