Job Discussion Forums

[Aramas]

In a lot of photos I've seen of Andean people they have bright red/purple cheeks. Is it from;

a) Quasi-nuclear sunburn?
b) A local herbal sunscreen?
c) Burst blood vessels from the altitude?
d) Just a flush from the cold?
e) None of the above?

I'm aware of the silliness of the question, but I just can't get it out of my head. Am I going to look like WC Fields after a year in the highlands?

[JosephP]

I don't know the answer but "Rosy Cheeked Quechua" sounds like a great line from or poem or something.

[Justin Trullinger]

I was a bit confused by your subject line, and you probably shouldn't assume that all Andean peoples are Quechua. There is really a stunning variety of different cultures, languages, and mixes here in the Andes.

But to answer you real question, I think it's a combination of factors that turns people a bit reddish around here. Sunburn comes easily at altitude, as there is less atmosphere to filter the sun's rays. Windburn in the Andes can be a killer as well.

A relevant medical fact is that at a certain altitude, the body compensates for lack of oxygen by increasing the number of red blood cells it produces, thus making it more efficient in delivery of what oxgen there is. (If you cut yourself after a few months here, your blood is REALLY red.)

But all those things together have not been enough to overcome my (extremely pale) heritage. I've been here between 2 and 3 years, and am still as pale as ever.

Just wear sunscreen, and a good hat. I don't know if you'll turn permanently red if you don't, but you can certainly be seriously injured. If it's bright enough to see here, it's bright enough to burn you.

Regards,
Justin

PS- Where are you? Or where are you going?