Back Again.....

After a rather long and incredibly difficult journey back to Antigua, I was really happy to walk through the doors of Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro and walk the familiar corridor to the children’s ward. I was amazed by how quiet it was despite being 7.30am. The decorations were up, and sparkling and twirling in the morning sun and breeze, a small nativity scene greeted me as I walked through the ward doors, a small candle illuminating the family. In the past few weeks the two adjoining wards have been combined into one as quite a few children have gone for the Christmas break. So this time I walked through unfamiliar doors into another ward and was really happy to see some familiar faces. And you know who I was looking for…. and there she was wide awake and ready for her bottle. Perla in her pink and red pyjamas. Rolling up my sleeves I started the usual days work (after giving her a big kiss and hug)…feeding, washing dishes, and now preparing the bottles for the day and, after all that was done, I changed Perla and sat with her to catch up and sing some festive songs…….. also caught up with Lesley and all the news about the children. Perla was supposed to go but was not collected. I felt very sad for her even though I know she does not realise it.
One of the children we were worried about was moved to Intensive care and is now doing much better and has put on 1 lb. Another however has developed some additional problems so needs a lot more attention. There are only a few nurses on the ward and I am the only volunteer so we are kept pretty busy. Christmas day was like any other as we went about our daily work, BUT the radio played Christmas carols and some of the children were taken to the cathedral for mass. Some families came for a few hours to visit their children. The rest of the week went by in a whirl as I adjusted to being back…….

Home again!!

Paula and I in the park...Christmas Day and Night!!

Central Park during the day and at night...

Christmas Day 2008!!

I have spent some time settling into my new home and making it mine with my things I brought back from England!! Christmas here is big. On Christmas Eve the whole centre of town was lit up and everyone was out and about. Firecrackers had been going off all day to celebrate and then in the evening there was a most amazing firework display till 1.30am. Everyone was aghast as they looked up at the sky being illuminated with a thousand and one colours and lights, small children smiled, some cried and some blocked their ears to the booming sounds echoing through the valley, but all enjoying the fiesta. Santa walked amongst the families providing an opportunity to have a picture taken...no gifts exchanged hands here. As the impressive show finished we all walked back home through the streets littered with torn bits of paper from the fire crackers, as well as discarded food and drinks containers. The strong smell of phosphorus hung in the night air. It was time to go home and open presents and prepare the Christmas dinner. I thought of you all, probably getting ready for Boxing day breakfast. I missed everyone.

The next day, Christmas day, I was told to go home before 12 noon. The reason being that at midday on Christmas day every family in every street lets off hundreds of firecrackers, and yes it was amazing and very noisy for two hours!! Once again streets were littered as I ventured out in the afternoon, men already sweeping the streets and the park. Many places were open for coffe and cake and lunches for tourists and residents alike, but not a turkey in sight!!

This weekend its being at home and catching up on household chores. Next week beckons with the promise of a new year with many new beginnings and so much more……..
WISHING EVERYONE PEACE, LOVE, HAPPINESS AND JOY FOR 2009 AND BEYOND…..

Enjoy
Adios Amigos
Goodnight
Xxx