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Published: December 7th 2005
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Aren´t they gorgeous??
Cecilia is on the left and Fiorella on the right. Not sure of their ages, but they´re somewhere between being able to hold their heads up and sitting up by themselves. Cecilia can almost roll over. Hi Folks,
Up as usual for work this morning and was again at the orphanage fairly sharpish.
When we arrived I wandered around all the cots to see which kids were awake so I could say hello. Jorge was there complete with a bed head punk rocker hairdo - a lot like mine looks first thing in the morning too!! He was awake and pleased to have some company. The only problem was that each time I wandered away from his cot to speak to some of the other kids, he howled. Had to stand and play with him until it was his turn to get washed and dressed!!
First task was nappy folding, and after that breakfast for the kids. A lot of the kids have a bug at the moment, and they really didn´t want their breakfast (stewed apples today) as they just weren´t feeling 100%!! Fernando and Fatima both totally refused theirs and they are usually the easiest kids to feed!!
After breakfast some more nappy folding and playing with the kids. Two of the babies were allowed to join us today (see attached photo) and Rosario looked very pretty in her new dress!!
Rosario
Very pretty in her new pink dress!! After breakfast we managed to get most of them of to sleep which was good. Lunch was the same story as breakfast - most of them didn´t eat. The little girl being fed next to Vicki was sick when the sister was trying to feed her.
At lunch I noted that they were calling Anita Karina by a new name - Tracey!! I asked the sister if this was a new name because she was going to a new house. She replied yes, and her papa had given her the name Tracey. I asked if this was a new papa, and the sister ecplained that Anna Karina is going to live with her natural father and will be called Tracey. One success story which is nice. Not sure when she is leaving, but hope we´ll get to see her again this week as Vicki and I are both very fond of her!! A big part of me wishes that it was Jorge!!
When the kids had been fed (or not as the case may be) we headed back to base for our own lunch. After lunch I headed to the prison market to do some shopping for
Ayacuchan Tapestry
This tapestry is fairly typical in Ayacucho. It´s a real work of art!! Karen. Karen - good news is that I´ve got everything!! Will post the parcel to you tomorrow. They tell me it should take 10 days, but this is Peru!!
Whilst in the market I spotted one of the ladies making a traditional Ayacuchan tapestry. I asked if I could take her photo and she said yes. She was thrilled when I showed it to her on my camera. Photo is attached. Everything in these markets is pretty much hand made, and the artesania is beautiful - the colours are amazing!!
Had a fabulous hot shower just before dinner. Was so hot I had to use the mixer tap and add some cold water - rarely ever have to do that!!
Sue was joining us for dinner and we were planning to pay a visit to the billiard hall below the house for a game of table tennis. One of the volunteers, Adam, said he was pretty good at TT and was prepared to give Sue a run for her money. Sue has been playing for 20 years!!
Just after dinner, some of the students from Wendy´s school arrived. They were looking for some volunteers to interview
Adam and Sue in action
Was a long, hard and well fought challenge.......... using a standard set of questions for an English school project. Needless to say I was roped in. The interview was taped (I absolutely detest the sound of my own voice!!) and I´m sure they´ll have a fun time trying to figure out my Scots accent!! The girls were lovely and very curious about Scotland. They wanted Wendy and I to sing the National Anthem, which we declined - reckoned that was above and beyond the call of duty!!
We then headed downstairs for a game of TT and were joined by the student teacher from Wendy´s school, Richard, and his friends Alfredo and Chris (a girl). Alfredo is an artist who is currently studying journalism at the University. He also does some work as a Quechuan translator. Chris is also multi talented. She works in the tourist office and also teaches maths. Richard´s first occupation was as a mechanic. For youngsters in their early 20´s they are definitely much more multi talented than me!!
Sue absolutley tanked Adam at table tennis and severely dented his pride. Have attached a couple of photos - one of them in action and one of them after the game. There then
Sue the victorious!!!
Sue won 2 games and severely dented Adam´s pride!! followed a raucous game of round the table TT (initiated by Vicki) where you hit the ball and then run round to the other side of the table to take the next serve. Action photo attached!! I didn´t play, but watched instead - was much more fun!! Also spent some time talking to Richard, Alfredo and Chris. They were all very keen to practice their English. They spoke to me in English and I tried my best to reply in Spanish.
After our game of TT we decided to head out for a beer and asked Richard, Chris and Alfredo to join us. The nice bar next to us was closed (remember the bar where they laughed at us when we went in and the barman followed us home to get the refund value of the glass beer bottle??), so we went to the bar across the road from the house which always plays really loud music. Was a bit of a dive (understatement!!) but we decided to go for it!!
We asked the lady in charge to take a photo of the group. She is no Davina Bailey, and the attached photo doesn´t include Wendy or Richard
Dodgy Bar!!
From the left: Alfredo, Vicki, Chris and myself. Wendy and Richard were cut out of the photo!! who were on the far left of the group as you look at it. I then took one of her which she was chuffed with, and she then struck up a conversation with me. She asked my name, where I was from and what I was doing in Ayacucho. I explained as best I could in Spanish. She then invited me to her house at the back of the shop and wanted me to come right away. I didn´t really understand why, and suggested maybe tomorrow as I was enjoying a cerveza with my friends. A few minutes later she shouted on me. Wanted to introduce me to her son (the main reason for inviting me to visit her house!!). I was mortified - especially as he looked about 15 (I´m probably old enough to be his mother!!). To be fair he appeared to be as embarrassed as I was!! Needless to say I will not be paying a visit to her casa!! Wendy and Vicki thought it was hilarious of course!! Not sure what our new friends thought of the situation - probably that I´m some mad man eater from Scotland!! Anyway - photo attached of the woman who
The Ayacucho matchmaker!!
Maybe she should audition for a part in Fiddler on the Roof!! could have been my prospective mother in law had I played my cards right!!
After flagging a taxi for Chris, we headed back to base. Vicki had turned on the Christmas lights in the window (photo attached). Was so pretty it really made me feel that I wanted to stay for Christmas!!
My mum left today for Wisconsin where I´ll meet her after my week of travelling on the 18th December. As I type, she´s probably mid air somewhere over the Atlantic. At least when she arrives there we´ll pretty much be in the same time zone (they are 1 hour ahead of Peru) which will make calling much easier - especially as we are both rarely in our respective houses!!!
Mum - special message for you!! Had an e-mail from Ian at work who tells me that Rangers are really struggling!! Did you keep that one quiet for any particular reason???!!! Interested in switching your allegiance to the local Ayacuchan team?? Would probably be much more rewarding!!
Only three days left in Ayacucho now!!
Take care everyone - that´s all for today.
Lesley x
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