Upon discovering that the papers I tried to gather from the neighbors weren’t necessary, I made plans to go to Curahuasi. Rafael could not go along this time. The trip is two hours one way.
I got into Izcuchaca around 9:00 and began looking for a taxi. There were many, but none were going to Curahuasi. I asked several people who pointed out where the taxis should be, but weren’t. One police officer didn’t know where they were, but he blew his whistle (in my ear) until his partner heard him and walked down to us.
He didn’t know either.
I finally walked up to Rafael’s store to ask advice. He suggested the bus agencies. They said there would be another bus late in the day. Rafael was sure there were some in town, so he took me hunting again.
There were none, but one fellow heard us asking. He lives in a town halfway to Curahuasi and said be could take me that far. So I went with him.
I have never before been in such a fast vehicle on such perilous roads in my life. We were going over 130 km/h, which is around 85 mph on mountainous roads with hairpin curves, passing vehicles as we went.
At one point we came upon a semi as we rounded a curve. There was also a semi in the other lane, and it was being passed by a double-decker bus. That’s was a terrifying theree seconds after which the lady in the back seat said she had to get out; it was too frightening.
There were no taxis to Curahuasi in Limatambo. A lady suggested waving down every vehicle that passed to ask if they were going to Curahuasi. Then she proceeded to step out in front of a speeding car to show me how.
I waved down a bus and was privileged to sit on the jump seat while two other people sat between me and the driver. I was thankful to make it to the hospital without having to arrive in an ambulance.
After a short wait, I had the papers! They are evidence of the pregnancy that will enable us to get the birth certificate.
I was able to find a taxi that would take me all the way home. It was only going about 80 or 90 km/h, so I fell asleep. I woke up when the driver slammed on his brakes.
There was a woman standing in the middle of the road on the dividing line. She had a cooler and was selling ice cream, and the driver wanted one! Away we went again.
I rested my head against the car door, letting the wind cool my face. SPLAT! The driver had thrown his used ice cream bag out his window, but it landed on my face. Since I couldn’t litter, I folded it up and stuck it in my pocket to throw away. I’m not sure which of those two things my neighbor was more horrified of.
I was exhausted, but feeling very happy when I arrived home with the documents. My happiness level may have dropped some when Steph told me the hot water supply was leaking and had lightly flooded the laundry room.
Praise the Lord anyway!
P.S. Alicia gave the children two puppies.
Juan David 