Earthquakes and clinics and strikes, oh my!

First order of business....the earthquake. Tremor is more like it, actually. It happened at 4:15 in the morning on Tuesday; the strongest part lasted for about 20-ish seconds. It woke me up, obviously, as my windows were rattling and my shelves and bed were moving. I sat straight up in bed and kind of smiled...it was my first earthquake ever! My parents and I congregated in the ¨safe zone¨ of the second floor and went back to bed soon after. It was actually really cool, and I can say that because nobody was killed (or even hurt I think) and the damage was almost nonexistent. It was a very strong tremor, though; a 6 on the richter scale so I´ve heard, which is big enough for me. I pray they don´t get any bigger.

Second order of business...the medical clinic. On Tuesday we took most all of the kids at school to a medical clinic to see a doctor and dentist. The two local teachers and our project manager left with about 25 of the kids, leaving the volunteers to run the school by ourselves (something we were not aware of before arriving that morning) for 12 remaining students that didn´t bring in their permission slips, a few from each grade. It was a challenge with them all grouped together and at very different ability levels, but we managed to do a long English lesson and some math before lunch, when the others came back from the clinic. Many of the children have chest infections, bronchitis, and dental issues. Some returned with a few less teeth than before. A few who were suffering from malnutrition last year are much healthier now, which was really good news. Now our job is to make sure they all finish their medication and to stress brushing their teeth every day after lunch.

So, the strike (a ¨huelga¨ in Spanish) is today. I´ve been told that the reason for striking is inflation...what´s new. Our project manager decided earlier this week that we wouldn´t be going into the school today. Basically, all of the schools are closed today, along with many businesses; all means of transportation will not be running today because there are supposedly road blocks all over the city (and I would assume the country as well, because it´s a national level strike). My father made it into work this morning somehow, but most people won´t attempt leaving their houses. Apparently there´s a protest in the plaza this afternoon and occasionally some rock throwing if there´s a vehicle on the road...but it should be mostly peaceful, and it should last only one day. One day is the plan, but last year ¨one day¨ turned into about a week. A bit ridiculous. With our trip to Cusco/Machu Picchu starting on Thursday night, we´re really praying that it sticks to the original schedule, otherwise we might not be able to leave the city. We´ll see.

This is a picture of our whole group (minus Carla and Candy) from our night out last night, since we didn´t have to go into school today. I love these people; they´re so much fun. If you look closely, Thomas and I are ¨working it¨ in the corner :-)

Have a great week, everyone. Love you all,

Señorita Jenna