The Adventure of Ruan: Pisco

We had a bit of a “heads up” before we got to Pisco. An earthquake had hit in 2007 and the city had not recovered yet. Fortunately we were going there for the people not the architecture. I had never been to a city that had “recently” been hit by an earthquake, South Africa is on a stable tectonic plate.

You could pick up the vibe of the place quickly as one being of people coping with the devastation, but they were still happy and keeping going. We found a little “hostel” to stay. Honestly if felt more like a hotel :) Our first mission was to find our Pisco buddies. They recognised us and we had a small reunion. There was a festival happening, which I wasn’t even sure what it was about, but everyone was going, us included. It was not even lunch time, so Carolina, Sallie & I took a stroll through town towards the beach. We got to see some of the reconstruction going on and the effect the earthquake had on the people’s lives. The roads were poor and some buildings had sustained damage without repair. The contrast with the smooth and fairly calm ocean definitely made an impact.

The festival was like something out of a movie. Stage in the middle, food & beer places on the outskirts forming a natural barrier, with rides and foosball tables at the one “entrance.” And no Latin American festival is complete without a proper band. In this case a more modern one, but obviously popular.

They had a bi-weekly football game against Pisco Sin Fronteras (PSF), a volunteer organisation helping the people of Pisco get back on their feet after the earthquake. They were one player short, so I was it. I have only played social football….once or twice before. Oh, this was the next night. It was obvious our Pisco buddies had been playing together for years. They knew where each other were and do you know that “Latin American football flair?” These guys had it. I “impressed” (more like surprised myself) by scoring 2 goals. I was chuffed :) I had a feeling though…60 min of football after not having played such an active sport in 7 months…I was going to be hurting. And I did. Not the next day though. When you get older the effects only hit you 2 days after activity and I’m getting older. I struggled to walk on Thursday :)

Gary arrived on Wednesday. Sallie was quite happy. Coinciding with the festival, there was an “event” at the harbour. Once again I wasn’t sure what the occasion was, but we went down there to have a look. As usual there was food & drink on sale, some people entertaining for tips, but it seems the big draw was a float (which we missed). Afterwards people would pile onto fishing vessels (fishermen making an extra income) and go for a ride. None of us were up for it. At least we got out, since there isn’t much else to do in Pisco (that I knew about).

I had wanted to do some volunteering during my travels of South America, but up till now, hadn’t :( However, PSF took volunteers for any period of time there were able to help. I had one full day before heading to Canada. Why not go help.
The introduction was quite informal. Everyone sat around listening to updates and then the projects were described. You could then choose which project you wanted to work on. I went to help construct a community centre/school in what would be called the township in South Africa. Not as densely constructed, but just as poor.

The centre was build using a basic, but I guess very cheap method. Fill sand bags with damp dirt and a bit of cement. The stack and flatten. Finally you drive iron rods vertically to prevent the bags from moving (not that it’s necessary in the short term). The whole building is about the size of a single garages. Not very big, but if you have nothing it must be great! At least your children have a place where they can get some education.
By the time I’d joined the construction was quite far. The walls were more than half way complete. I was thus fortunate to see the building take on a fairly familiar shape. We get nothing in return for our work, except a lunch meal which is very basic but good. Each family makes a turn to cook for us. This is really volunteering. Not like many of the websites that advertise and where you have to pay to volunteer.

Gary being from Ireland, was very keen on the football against PSF. By this time my muscles were dead…football 2 days before and working the whole day. I played for about 10 min :) Unfortunately this was our last night before all of us were heading in our own directions. Gary & Sallie were going to Ecuador, Carolina back to Chile and I was heading to Canada. This called for a big party! We went out with the Pisco boys and had a huge night drinking & dancing to Reggaeton (a type of music that I’ve learned to like in South America).

The fattest cat EVER! – View of Pisco form the hostel’s roof