LOVE IS IN THE AIR......

HAPPY

VALENTINES

DAY!!!!!

A week of love…..

The weeks seem to be passing by so quickly at the moment. I cant believe I have been here for six months now.

This week we had 3 new volunteers and I spent quite a bit of time with them talking to them and showing them round! Like me when I first started, they are absolutely surprised by the place and compare it to Europe! ( they are from Holland and Germany). They have many questions and are constantly questioning routines and management of the children, I have to remind them that they cannot compare Guatemala and this hospital to those in Europe. One other volunteer, a nurse in Holand, made it for 3 days and then left as so often happens. But its good to get some help as we are almost full to capacity and there is much to do. This week two of the children have been unwell and have needed extra attention, while others have been suffering from a fever…maybe a reaction to the injections they had last week. And they all need a lot of love and attention at the moment…

The onset of much warmer weather has meant that the children get to sit in the sun and the trips to the park have started. This week I went off with one of the older children for a walk around the park to enjoy the sun and the water in the fountain together.

New rocking chairs arrived at the beginning of the week so the children have been falling asleep in our laps and many of the older children have been totally relaxed by the rocking movements. Necessary as many are still adjusting to being back. I spent some time with the older children holding them and gently rocking them, while singing along with the only children’s CD they have here. This boy cries practically all the time and yet loved being held and rocked, it wasn’t easy but he soon fell asleep. Another much appreciated donation to the hospital.

Another person, a missionary, is also organising quilts for the children’s beds , so Lesley and I spent one morning measuring and noting all the different size quilts we will need for the children in both the wards…almost 60 children.

My usual duties continue, along with more bottle labelling as more children arrive.

Today ( Friday) there was a party for valentines day!! Again, the ward was decorated with hearts and balloons and we had cakes and ice cream for the children as well as games and a piñata, which was enjoyable to watch!
Some visitors came by and gave all the nurses and Lesley and I chocolates as a thank you for the work we do....especially for Valentines day!!

For me this has been a special week as the nurses invited me to their special lunch and included me in the ‘secret gift’ for each other. I really feel (officially) a part of the team now, and was so happy. We enjoyed lunch while the children relaxed after their cakes and ice creams. There was much chattering but a lot passed me by… they speak so fast, but Lesley told me later that they feel that I am a part of the team and am always ready to help where ever it is needed.
I left the hospital exhausted and happy at the end of the week,with a huge grin on my face and walked back to my place with Lesley ……

ANTIGUA....

Volcan Fuego

I continue to find Antigua’s volcanoes fascinating as they look different everyday. Most days they stand stoic against clear blue skies and on others they are obscured, almost non existent, by the low lying clouds which race across the sky. This week Fuego, at a height of 3,763m, was fuming and was amazingly dramatic early one morning. Fuego has had frequent dangerous eruptions in recent years though generally not without warning!! Its last major eruption was in 1974. This is the one which has its red volcanic rock glowing at night as one head back towards Antigua. All the three volcanoes form a majestic backdrop to the tiny town of Antigua nestled in a valley below. Some days the sky is so clear that its possible to see its contours and vegetation.
So one morning, hot and fuming with passion, it stopped people in the street as they looked up in wonder and hoped that that was all it was going to do!

Guatemala really does enjoy every single day of celebration, there is always something going on……and this week it’s the preparation for Valentines day!!
Piñatas being delivered to shops, big and small ones…great for hiding gifts for that special person, piñatas in the windows with hearts, flowers and lights and special valentine dining offers encouraging everyone to celebrate love!!!

Horses decorated with special ribbons and bows, horse and carriages get a face lift, and are adorned with roses and red and white ribbons awaiting the arrival of couples over the weekend from many places….
One afternoon as I walked through the park there was a huge crowd and lots of talking and laughter and soft music playing. Walking towards it I saw that there was a wedding in the park, a gloriously happy couple who were still at school!! I looked on as they posed with their school friends…..amazing. I wasn’t prepared to question it, but to just enjoy it and share in its moment.
This weekend beckons with many activities in and around the park for everyone to enjoy. I shall go and watch and listen and think of all my loved ones all over the world.

Celebrate and be happy…….
You know!!
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx