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Published: October 31st 2005
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Manuela´s leaving night
Left to right: Wendy, Lesley, Vicki, Katherine, Manuuela and Eileen Friday 28th -Manuela´s leaving night
After updating the blog, Vicki and I went for a wander into town. Ayacucho is exceptionally busy at the moment. There is a big vote and the weekend which could result in a restructure of the regions across Peru. Ayacucho may join up with another two regions, which would be beneficial as there is less poverty in these regions and they may be able to help Ayacucho to an extent. The vote is on Sunday, and everyone must return to their place of birth to vote (kind of like the census in Israel that preceeded the birth of Jesus!). The people are fined if they do not vote. Tuesday of next week is also ´All Saints Day´ (a national holiday) and there is a local Ayacucho holiday on Wednesday.
On Friday afternoon when we walked into town, one of the main streets had been closed off. There were groups of people working on massive chalk drawings on the ground, and filling them (very precisely) with powdered flower petals. The effect was incredible!! It also smelled fabulous!! Needless to say I had no camera with me (batteries were being charged!!). Planned to come back on
route to dinner and take some photos.
Had Spanish (conversational class) 6-7pm, then headed out for dinner. En route, we noticed that all the street mosaics had disappeared. Apparently there had been some street procession around 6pm, complete with a band, which involved stamping on all the completed works of art!! Based on how my Spanish lesson went, I would have been better off in town to see the procession!! As a result - no photos. You´ll just have to accept my word that it was pretty incredible!!
Went to Ninos for pizza with Manuela and the girls (photo attached). Afterwards we headed to a bar we know for a pisco sour, to be told they were not serving alcohol. There is a curfew in place because of the vote at the weekend!! Went home and climbed into bed. Last night in top bunk - yeeeeeesssssss!!
Saturday 29th October - Birthday Party
Got up at the horrible hour of 7am to say cheerio to Manuela and Kiara (photo attached). Those of you who know me well will realise that was a big thing for me on Saturday morning - even Manuela acknowledged that!! Will miss them
Lesley´s bottom bunk
Finally - no more ladders!! both!! After that I climbed back into bed for a bit. There was a lot of noise in the house, so sleep was not forthcoming. Got up and did some washing. Hung it on the roof to dry and then set about claiming the bottom bunk and reorganising the room with Caroline (my remaining roommmate). Photo attached of my bottom bunk (please note the prominence of my GB Anniversary teddybear) and the view from the window which I´m now next to.
After that a crowd of us wandered into town. Had an Inca Kola in the Gringo plaza, and was then successful with some Christmas shopping in the local craft market which is located in the old prison (commonly known as the prison market). Also got the main things I need for my Wawa Wasi Halloween party on Monday. Then headed home for a couple of hours r & r reading on the roof.
Nigel and Alison (two of the volunteers) had asked the rest of us if we were interested in attending a birthday party at the boy´s orphanage in the afternoon. They had three boys with a birthday this month, and they usually have a party
View from the bedroom window
See what I mean about the tin roofs - you can imagine the noise in the hail storm last week!! on the last Saturday of the month to celebrate all birthdays in that month. It was great fun!! Lot of photos attached. We all contributed 10 soles (equivalent of two pounds sterling) towards ice cream, balloons, and a spiderman decoration, the bottom of which was filled with sweets. The kids were great and they had a ball!! There were no presents though - we´re not allowed to purchase anything unless it´s educational.
One of them asked me up to dance, which was fine, apart from the fact that he then tried to pair me off with one of the older boys. As the maximum age in the orphanage is 17, I was probably old enough to be his mother!!
There was a lovely cake and plenty of food. Photo of the table attached and also one of the three birthday boys blowing out the candle. There was one candle on the cake which was blown out and re lit so that each of them had a turn.
The kids had lots of fun. They are all very well cared for in Urpi (the name of the orphanage). We danced and played a few games. Photo of musical
Food table before the mayhem!
Table with the birthday cake and food!! chairs attached which was fun!! The best bit was when Nigel stood on a table holding the spiderman with the sweets in the bottom. The kids attacked it with a big blue plastic hammer until it burst, and the sweets were scattered all over the floor. It was then a total free for all to see who could collect the most - bit like a scramble at a wedding!!
Made a new friend at the party - a local girl named Consuela who is currently on placement having just finished her social work degree. She´s asked me to pass contact details back via the orphanage so we can keep in touch whilst here, and also when I go back home. Believe it or not, she knew a lot about Scotland and is desperate to see a photo of a handsome guy in a kilt. Can anyone oblige please via e-mail?? Would be much appreciated!!
After the party we headed back to base where a crowd of us enjoyed a glass of wine (or beer for Vicki and I) on the roof. It was lovely sitting up there chatting as the sun went down and the stars came out.
Musical chairs!!
It was great fun! Everywhere you look on the roof, you can see the Andes. It´s an incredible sight!!
Just finished my dinner and decided to update my blog. Heading home now for a shower (the water was cold before dinner according to Caroline, so I don´t hold out much hope) and the luxury of a night in the bottom bunk!!
Have an early start tomorrow as I´m going on a hike round the hills close to the cross overlooking Ayacucho. Should finish up at the cross. Then I plan to check out the evening service in the local methodist Church, which will be nice.
Oh - we had a new arrival today. A girl called Sila (pronounced Sheila) from Londonderry in Northern Ireland. She will be with us for two weeks. We have the remainder of the new arrivals comng in next weekend. The new group will remain consistent (with the exception of leavers) until the beginning of December, just before I finish up to go travelling.
Think that´s all my news for now. Take care and keep in touch!!
Lesley x
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Campbell
non-member comment
does Vicki look Catriona MacDonald or is it just me?