All of the children are back now, so both Raju and I have spent most mornings at the hospital
Its been great to have both Martin and Raju get so involved with the daily life of the hospital and get a flavour of what my work involves. Following on from Martin, I was happy to let Raju complete some of the daily tasks while I enjoyed a few moments with the children and especially Perla…. who has finally lost a
few pounds!!! Oh and of course telling all the nurses about my family, now they have met two of them.A couple of the children who returned late are very ill, malnourished and suffering from skin irritations/conditions as a result of a lack of attention. So we are busy getting them back on form again. We have also had some more volunteers in helping out, playing with the children and helping to feed them which is, as always, really wonderful.
A new batch of clothes and blankets have arrived from USA and so I will be spending some of my time next week labelling them all and organising them. Not an easy task as nail varnish does not write very well on clothes!!! However, this is what they use……
Travelling…..
On Monday Raju and I took a chicken bus to Panajachel and a couple of days at Lake Atitlan. It was a little hazy the day we arrived, but then it cleared up beautifully and we were lucky to get some spectacular views of the volcanoes surrounding the lake. Then it was the tour of the lake with a visit to a couple of villages and of course Maximon..
A wooden image, decked in scarves, smoking a cigar and drinking firewater, his room enveloped in incense and flowers and his minders by his side. The Maximon has been worshipped by the Mayans for centuries, he is believed to bring luck, good harvests, rain, a fair price for maize and success. For a prayer to be heard and answered, offerings must be bought in the form of cigarettes, alcohol, flowers and scarves to persuade him to do goodwill.
We also met a woman who belongs to a tribe where the women wear special head-dresses, an image of one is used on the back of a coin here in Guatemala.
The highlight of the stay was a trip to the Nature Reserve to see the spider monkeys, flowers and fauna and of course a go on the ‘Cables X-tremos’. Yes both Raju and I donned our gear climbed quite a way up and then zip lined over the tree canopies for over an hour! An amazing and exciting time with spectacular views over the forest and valley.
Not an experience I will forget easily.
.....yes we are the dots zipping over the tree tops......
And we celebrated Lesley's birthday with cake and ice cream with the kids and a few drinks in the evening!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLEY!!!XXXX
Next week its Tikal!!
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx
6 comments:
Wonderful to see Raju in the locations that I also experienced, although I bottled the zip-ride. Raju looks relaxed and happy, and so he should, in great hands with a super itinerary carefully mapped out. But the hospital continues to be the backbone and central meaning of all that you do, and it's great to see him involved with Perla and the other children. I think about them a lot.
Querida Nayna,
So lovely to see Raju there with you. And that Zip ride!
The pair of you in your zip gear, look for all the world like Dangermouse & Penfold. Seriously though, it's brilliant that both Raj and Martin have got to see and experience the life you've plunged yourself into. I continue to remain quite envious that I can't come and share a bit too but immersing myself in your fantastic blog is almost as good. Love you lots amiga.
Besos y abrazos
Maya xxxx
Yet another smokin' hot blog, Nayna dear. Keep it up and you shall inspire even more youngsters, and oldies too, to come and help us out with the kids. Your positive energy and enthusiasm can be "heard" in your words.
Thank you for being such a blessing to our babies.
No one could accuse you of not making the most of your time and opportunities out there! I wonder sometimes how you manage to pack so much into your days and weeks… but I guess I'm only going by the exciting photos and eventful description. There must be a good deal of quiet reflection too.
Raju looks to be in his element, relaxed and at ease, And perhaps a little like Dangermouse!
Thank you for the photos too, eye-opening images of an incredible place captured with sympathy and tenderness.
Much love
Aadrianxxxxx
Dearest Nayna. Yet again a wonderous blog filled with news and photos of your adventures. Am struck by the pics of Raju and his tenderness with the kids, definately a chip of the 'old' block! Stay well hun and much love to you both. Lxx
Hola Aunty!
The landscape and culture of Guatemala are so fascinating and beautiful! The "zipping" over the trees experience looked and sounded totally fantastic! Its seems to me that you fit in so seamlessly with the whole life over there, so that your boys do too. It must be so lovely to have them experience your life there first hand.
Its amazing how you involve everyone with the children and taking care of them, it must be an eye-opening experience. You are, continually, amazing.
Hugs, kisses, and all our love, Annika, Nori & Ethan xxxxxx
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