Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “Hi Minsa, we need some money to buy the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Minsa: “Fill out the request.”
…
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “Here you go!”
Minsa: “No no no no. You have to take it to Mesa de Partes, around the corner over there.”
…
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “Hi Mesa de Partes, I have a request here for some money to buy the COVID-19 vaccine.”
… stamp stamp sign stamp finger print copy of DNI …
Mesa de Partes: “5 to 7 business days”
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “Sweet, so in 5 to 7 business days we get the money to buy the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Mesa de Partes: “No no no no. In 5 to 7 business days we will get this to the right person.”
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “Wait, so you’re telling me it will take you 5 to 7 business days just to take this request back to the guy who gave it to me 2 minutes ago? That’s so outrageous.”
Mesa de Partes: “Next!”
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “Wait wait wait. There’s a pandemic going on. There’s got to be a way you can expedite this?!”
Mesa de Partes: “Next!”
… (5 to 7 business days later) …
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “Hi Minsa, did you get a chance to approve the request for funds to buy the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Minsa: “Well let me see….”
Minsa: “Says here this vendor isn’t registered to do business in Peru. We’ll need their application, ficha RUC, 3 years of tax returns and a sworn declaration of something.”
Minsa: “Also a sample of the product they want to sell so we can evaluate if it meets criteria.”
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “But how am I supposed to get a sample of the vaccine if you don’t want to provide any funds to buy it?”
Minsa: “Surely you must know someone who lives in the USA who can buy a sample for you?”
Minsa: “If their ficha RUC is a RUS then we’ll also need the individual owners’ sworn declaration of something.”
Minsa: “As soon as you have it all ready take it over to Mesa de Partes, around the corner over there.”
Vaccine buyer dude(tte): “But there’s a pandemic.”
Minsa: “Next!”
Life in Peru 
Oh Lordy, lordy! Nothing much has changed in Peru in regard to ” tramites” in 35 years…..
I saw you have moved to near Calca. I hope you enjoy being there. Martin’s family comes from Calca! At least fresh air and nature. Take care and keep safe. Wishing you and your family all the best for a Happy Christmas and New Year. Xx
Hi Kristin. We love it here in Calca, wish we’d moved earlier. We were always hesitant due to schools and family/way of life in the city but it’s great to be out of the hustle and bustle, noise, pollution, etc. Even more so now with COVID-19, here in the countryside at least the kids can play outside, not be confined indoors so much.
Hope you guys are doing good. Merry Christmas to you and the family!
Hi Ward! Martin says to look up his uncle and aunt who live in Calca. Their names are Martin Castilla Barbosa and his wife Gloria. Martin says they are very well known locally and know all the necessary contacts around Calca. They also also have a nursery business for plants. Merry Christmas!!