The past few days the weather has really changed. Its very cold with clear blue skies and a cold wind that rips through in the mornings. The sky is always striking blue and at night crystal clear so we can see the stars. It is time for winter clothing and to wrap up warm as I walk to work and stare at the sharp image of the volcano, if I reach out I am sure I could touch it!!Sadly this also has an impact on the children because they are not allowed to go out much. However by late morning the temperature usually rises and we have a little stroll in the small garden adjacent to the dorms to get some
fresh
air and a change of scenery. This week I have continued to help with some of the other duties, like washing and preparing all the bottles for the day for all of the children., folding what feels like hundreds of clothes and sheets. This week also had me doing the worst job so far….cleaning the children’s ears!!! Won’t say anymore about that. But there is always an opportunity to spend some quality time with some of the children.
Since the last time they were weighed, some of the children have lost weight, not good, and some have put some on , so the number of bottles per child per day has to be adjusted. For some of them it’s a worrying time. One child was taken into intensive care yesterday. We continue to have students helping out which is a great help. It has also been a week of getting to know two new children who have joined us. Both very scared and unsettled being away from the family. This one is …10 years old! She has a fantastic smile and is finally starting to take milk. One afternoon this week the children had a little party…getting the sweets from the pinayata by hitting it!! I wonder who invented that one? It was really great to see the children and other patients from other wards laughing and enjoying just being out.
On Thursday , Mallory, Timo and I decided to take three of the children to a café by the park. I think it’s the first time that they had been in there, but the people in the café were really kind and once again congratulated on our work.
Its not work we said…it’s a way of life!!!
Since the last time they were weighed, some of the children have lost weight, not good, and some have put some on , so the number of bottles per child per day has to be adjusted. For some of them it’s a worrying time. One child was taken into intensive care yesterday. We continue to have students helping out which is a great help. It has also been a week of getting to know two new children who have joined us. Both very scared and unsettled being away from the family. This one is …10 years old! She has a fantastic smile and is finally starting to take milk. One afternoon this week the children had a little party…getting the sweets from the pinayata by hitting it!! I wonder who invented that one? It was really great to see the children and other patients from other wards laughing and enjoying just being out.
On Thursday , Mallory, Timo and I decided to take three of the children to a café by the park. I think it’s the first time that they had been in there, but the people in the café were really kind and once again congratulated on our work.Its not work we said…it’s a way of life!!!
MOUNTAINS AND SPRINGS.......
Last Saturday some of us woke up very early to meet the challenge of a 4 hour trek up a mountain. But first we had to get to the foot of the mountain in a pick up… well an animal pick up.
Which for 45 minutes was fine as we hurtled, standing up, up and around some very unmade 
Last Saturday some of us woke up very early to meet the challenge of a 4 hour trek up a mountain. But first we had to get to the foot of the mountain in a pick up… well an animal pick up.
Which for 45 minutes was fine as we hurtled, standing up, up and around some very unmade 
and at times quite scary roads. My friend Romana and I clung to each other at times to gain 
some balance…..great for me as she is very tall.
The climb was a challenge as it had been raining so it was very slippery and the steepness was a challenge even for the young ones. Once again I was aware of the age difference but managed to 
get to the top to view some spectacular landscape and lush greenery. We were very high up so it was amazing to see the clouds once again hugging the sides of the mountains, and in the forest, mist and clouds meandered through the very tall trees as the winds blew across the land. Spectacularly, running through the valley is a river which suddenly ventures underground leaving natural limestone bridges with cool pools of clear blue and green water on the surface…a perfect place 
for a dip after the huge climb. Sometimes I look across the landscape and realise that in so many ways it is just so different to other places, every place has a sense of the original Mayan culture resonating through it in so many ways. It certainly inspires me to travel through Latin America.
After about 30 minutes at the top we slowly started our descent back to the limestone bridges, where we all rushed into the clear waters and cooled off under the small cascades of flowing water, what a relief. We all talked and laughed until it got too cold, then we rushed out dragged on our clothes and climbed back onto the pick up for the rickety drive back for a hot cuppa.
Later we all enjoyed our ride back to our houses in Antigua and made plans for the following weekend when we would board a camianeta and head off to see the giant kite extravaganza, the day of the dead.
get to the top to view some spectacular landscape and lush greenery. We were very high up so it was amazing to see the clouds once again hugging the sides of the mountains, and in the forest, mist and clouds meandered through the very tall trees as the winds blew across the land. Spectacularly, running through the valley is a river which suddenly ventures underground leaving natural limestone bridges with cool pools of clear blue and green water on the surface…a perfect place 
for a dip after the huge climb. Sometimes I look across the landscape and realise that in so many ways it is just so different to other places, every place has a sense of the original Mayan culture resonating through it in so many ways. It certainly inspires me to travel through Latin America.After about 30 minutes at the top we slowly started our descent back to the limestone bridges, where we all rushed into the clear waters and cooled off under the small cascades of flowing water, what a relief. We all talked and laughed until it got too cold, then we rushed out dragged on our clothes and climbed back onto the pick up for the rickety drive back for a hot cuppa.
Later we all enjoyed our ride back to our houses in Antigua and made plans for the following weekend when we would board a camianeta and head off to see the giant kite extravaganza, the day of the dead.
The night sky on our way home...
Adios amigosGoodnight.
Xxx
6 comments:
Again, such powerful writing, drawing us into your world. suspect that all of your entries raise questions for those who read them, mostly far away in a cocoon of varying comfort. They force a recalibration of priorities and focus on an essential power of goodness, humanity and caring. Perhaps more than just me have had to consider the degree of selfishness which has at times permeated our lives. In effect therefore your blog entries are a kind of rallying cry for the soul, and from where I am there could not be a better time for it, with so much crisis and uncertainty in our world. Continue to inspire: I know that you will, and that you couldn't stop doing so even if you tried....
Querida Nayna,
Your postcard arrived today - thankyou. As I hurtle towards some tough days ahead, your words and pictures are like rubies in the dust. Seguir con el buen trabajo!
Besos Maya xx
Thank you for your lovely post card! The country looks so beautiful in your photos, I'd really love to visit it one day. I'm so impressed with your energy, every weekend you're off to another adventure, trekking mountains and swimming in waterfalls....me jealous! =) Your work with the kids continues to inspire us, I think that, out of all of us, you are in the right place and doing something we should all try to do in our lives, to remind us of what really matters in life-WHO really matters in life. Your blog is an anchor is a world where a financial crises is taking over every headline, but what we forget is that most of us have our health, and people who love us and would never abandon us-those kids you are taking care of have survived far more. People don't realise just how much worse it can get... but thanks to your blog, I remember to be grateful for what I have, and how lucky I am. Thank you for that. Love you, from all of us xxxxx
Dearest Nayna
Yet again wonderful to hear about the kids and you continue to inspire with the efforts you make to bring light into this world. Love the night sky picture and can almost feel the chill in the air! Stay well and hope to hear more soon. Lxx
The contrast between the calm domesticity of the café (what a lovely photograph by the way) and the dizzying wildness of the mountains (how cold that water must have been!) is so typical of you. Your life there must often be so emotionally and physically draining, yet you face each new challenge with enthusiasm and energy. It's an ability that is given to few people.
Keep being you!
Love adrian xx
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