Peruvian couple find calling on other side of planet

Orlando Leiva Meza, a retired 67-year-old Peruvian doctor, and his wife, Maria Rioja Gonzales, who now provide acupuncture services, said they are considering living in China in five years, when they plan to retire.

This is not only because their son currently works in China, but also because of the Peruvian couple's special bond with the country, which began as early as 1986, when Leiva went to study acupuncture and moxibustion in Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin.

"My connection with Chinese culture began in my adolescence when I became familiar with Chinese martial arts such as kung fu and the Chinese cuisine offered in Peru through restaurants known as 'chifas' (patterned after chifan, or 'eat' in Chinese)," he told China Daily at his home in Lima.

In the room where patients receive acupuncture services, a comfortable single bed is up against a wall where Chinese calligraphy and posters of dragons and Bruce Lee can be seen. On the opposite wall is a golden dragon sculpture.

"I only began considering Chinese medicine after completing my medical degree when the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine were being discussed, particularly in Lima's Chinatown," he said.

Then the opportunity to travel to China arose in 1986 through a scholarship provided by the Chinese government to fund people in several Latin American countries to study medicine, law, architecture and engineering in China.

Leiva and his wife together applied for a scholarship in medical studies. Leiva went to China first and then, two months later, his wife joined him.

Rioja recalled that when people saw her, the first question was: "Where are you from?" When she said "Peru", the second question would be "Where is Peru?"

The couple first studied medicalrelated Chinese language, then acupuncture in Beijing. Leiva also fell in love with tai chi when studying in Shanghai, becoming the only foreigner practicing the ancient exercise every morning at Longhua Hospital.

Adapting to the culture and life in China was initially challenging, but they soon fell in love with almost everything about the country, from cycling to Peking roast duck.

"Young people are always brave," Rioja said.

Leiva said he was also the Spanish teacher for about 20 Chinese classmates. "In the morning, I studied Chinese language. Then in the afternoon, I taught Spanish. This helped strengthen our friendship," he said.

When the couple returned to Peru in 1989 with their son Xiao Long, born in Beijing in 1988, the Year of the Dragon, they dedicated themselves to promoting acupuncture in Peru, a craft they've been engaged in ever since.

The couple, both of whom are members of the Peruvian Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association, also conducted basic acupuncture and moxibustion courses at Peruvian Medical College, attended by doctors from various regions of the country.

"The main motivation behind all our efforts was the importance of acupuncture in treating various ailments. Moreover, it's low-cost, painless and effective," Rioja said, adding that acupuncture also provides an alternative for patients in difficult financial circumstances.

Over the past decades, Leiva returned to China twice for training. The couple also visited China together about eight years ago and found that the changes that have taken place in the country in recent years were truly impressive.

"Wudaokou, Beijing's university area, is no longer how it looks in my memory, and a shop where I used to buy groceries has also disappeared," Rioja said.

Leiva said he has noticed significant changes in economic and social development every time he's back in China.

"These advancements have, in one way or another, contributed to a higher standard of living for the people. I believe China is improving and developing more each day, and more importantly, it is also supporting the development of other nations," he said.

The couple said they also observe with enthusiasm and anticipation the increasing cooperation between Peru and China in the field of medicine, with more Chinese medicine and acupuncture courses being offered and many healthcare professionals in Peru traveling to China to study these specialties.

"After so many years since my time in China, I am genuinely very happy and pleased, both personally and professionally, with what I have learned about the ancient art of traditional Chinese medicine," Leiva said.