Another busy week with the mornings spent at the hospital working and playing with thechildren. Sadly one of our boys had to be moved to a hospital in the city as he was very ill, he is now in intensive care but hopefully will return to us soon. The nurses have been getting Raju to help with more daily routines like brushing teeth as well as the usual bottle feeding etc. The warmer mornings has meant that some of the older boys have been able to enjoy some of the playground apparatus we have. The boys are heavy so I can’t normally manage them, but they had fun with Raju.
The onset of the rainy season has meant that some of the time is spent indoors…not very exciting but still an opportunity to massage limbs! Also a difficult time when the children are very prone to infections.
However, back to normal next week with the daily routines, more labelling and of course playing with the children.
I have really enjoyed sharing the work I have been doing here at the hospital with both Martin and Raju.
ANTIGUA
Raju climbed Volcan Pacaya this week with some friends…no photos as it was raining but a real adventure with fields of lava, dipping a stick and pulling out lava! And roasting marshmallows over a hot lava stream! His shoes are now in the bin, burned out!Meanwhile I caught up with a little time with Perla.....
Fortunately there was a procession on Sunday so Raju also had the chance to experience it, as well as the floral carpets and incense!TIKAL........
Early last Monday morning we left for Tikal with its Mayan skyscrapers pushing up through the jungle canopy. Many steep-sided Mayan temples make up the greatest Mayan city in Guatemala. Here huge temples, over 44m tall rise above the canopies, shrines to the royal dead.. Many have been cleared of trees and vines, uncovered and restored.
The sound ofHowler monkeys fill the air and brightly coloured parrots and toucans fly
from tree to tree as one walks through this incredible site.
The 550sq km park contains thousands of separate ruined structures. Quiet a few of the temples
have been restored and secured so that people can climb up them and enjoy and wonder at the spectacular views. The highest one of all is Temple IV, at 70m. built to honour one of its rulers.So we spent a good few hours wandering around and climbed all the temples we could…some of them were difficult, but well worth it when we saw the views at the top. It was also amazing to see the wildlife: Koatymundis, Spider monkeys, Crocodiles, a Cotuza-paca,,, lizards, the amazing toucans, parrots, woodpeckers, humming birds, ocellated turkey (!!) and vultures… so exciting and amazing!
In 1979 Parc Nacional Tikal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A truly epic experience I was lucky enough to share with both Martin and Raju.
Now am mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted!!!! A lonely week ahead.......
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx
4 comments:
Epic photographs, especially of Tikal. Good to see pictures of Raju fitting in so well to the hospital routine. Warm smiles as well as warm weather.
Your descriptions of both - ancient cultural site and hospital - paint vivid pictures; having been to both I can feel the places through your text. Try and enjoy the calm and tranquility of the restored routine if you can.
Querida Nayna,
yet more amazing images. Your week with Raju seems to have flown by, I can't believe it. Hopefully our little post-its on your blog will in some way compensate for your bereftness (not a real word surely?). We are all sending you muchos muchos besos y abrazos across the oceans and on the wind. You continue to inspire. So much love Maya xxx
Not too lonely a week I hope!
You'll certainly have same amazing memories to treasure – and some beautiful photographs to help conjure them up. I'm always struck by how healthy you look in the pictures. In fact you appear to be getting younger… I guess it's the humidity, the sense of purpose and the exercise (all the lifting and carrying, not to mention scaling Mayan temples and zipping through jungles).
Selfishly though I can't wait to see you…
Love, Adrianxxx
You must be so exhausted, not just the last few weeks, but the whole time you have been there-it's not difficult to realise that these months have been exhausting on many levels, but also duly rewarding. You have done an amazing job to date. We are really so proud of you, and your capacity to help others in the selfless ways that you do. Your huge journey has, in many ways, been a journey for all of us who know you and follow your blog too, although it has been you and you only who has done all the hard work!! But you have definitely opened my eyes and reminded me to be grateful for what I have. I feel so lucky, and that is thanks you you, and your courage to make a difference.
All my love! Annika xoxoxox
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