coming home early

hi, folks.

well, after a series of digestive "issues" and what seems to be a bladder infection, i have decided that while my spirit is happy, my body does not thrive in a "third-world" environment. therefore, i am coming home 2 months before i had planned. i have decided that this is a good thing, and to be happy about it. already, the trip has met and exceeded my expectations.

i feel incredibly blessed and enriched by the experience. and i feel energized and committed to keeping the people i have gotten to know in my heart and in my life, as well as continuing the kind of work i have been able to do here. this experience has reinforced what is important and what is not, and that is valuable knowledge, for sure.

today at the orphanage in sicaya, i got to hold a little baby for 2 and 1/2 hours, comforting her when she cried, and cuddling her while she slept. then, i got to hold another little baby for a half hour until he fell asleep in my lap. tough work, but somebody had/got to do it.

yesterday, at the aldea, i gave a baby her first haircut (while her teenage mother offered her a breast to distract her!), handed out knitting needles to all the girls, taught two girls how to knit (or at least got them started), taught two other girls how to use a laptop, and edit the autobiographies that they had written and i had transcribed for them, and taught an english lesson on "my future, my aspirations, my dreams."

this afternoon, kattya and gisela and i spent a delicious twilight hour in the Koky restaurant, chatting and laughing over tea and juice (me), a hamburger (kattya), and an Irish coffee (gisela). we had just said goodbye to erin, my (new) great friend from canada who finished her volunteer time at the aldea this morning, and her description of the going-away party the girls gave her warmed all of our hearts.

thanks for reading. more photos soon.

until next time,
kathy

a few random photos

On the top is the group that provided us with a serendipitous concert in front of our house Monday afternoon of this week. On the left is a street I pass every morning on my way to the combi. It just called my camera yesterday morning.

with luck, photos for you visual types

a great day!

Hi, folks.

Well, today was a fabulous day.

First, I treated myself to a taxi instead of a combi to get to the orphanage. So I spent approximately a dollar and a half instead of twenty cents, but it was SO worth it. I arrived early and in peace, and all the animals I saw along the way were alive and walking around instead of hanging from ropes in the market. Then I got to change, hold and play with Heidy, one of the babies, all the while chatting with the girls.

I shared with them my idea of publishing a book of them and they were so excited to write the stories of their lives. So we have lots of work to do in the next 3 and 1/2 weeks, but it´s going to be great. I´m going to take lots of photos, and I´ve invited them to take photos, as well. I´ve invited them to include pictures, poems, stories, whatever they want, and I´ll work with them to collect, arrange, edit and publish. Terry, of Terry and Alison, of Tinkuy, is going to help, and he´s very talented in these areas! I´m thinking a version that can be completed here, so that every girl can have a copy, and possibly an additional edition when I return to the U.S. I´m hoping Ursula can help me translate the stories into English, so the second edition can be in Spanish and in English.

We did some English--learning the names for clothing, and then we had a party with the girls, the folks from Tinkuy, and the tutoras and director of Francisco Mayer. There were many speeches, and it was a lovely occasion. Several of the girls gave speeches, and it was an emotional time for all of us. Then we had snacks, provided by the Tinkuy folks, and dancing. It was great doing Indian (as in Delhi) dancing in Huancayo, Peru. Those girls can boogie!

After a few errands, I went to Tino´s house, and all the Tinkuy volunteers and I ate lunch together (thank you, Sonia!) and had a little teaching seminar. It was fabulous! They have so many great ideas, it was fun just to facilitate, and throw in an idea or two just to "stay in the game!"

Then, I caught a combi home (one taxi is enough for one day!), and taught English to Gisela, Jose, and Katya. We talked about the weekend and everyone´s activities. It was fun to kind of switch the tables a bit, and have them work to find words (instead of me ALWAYS struggling).

Then I received a care package from T--THANK YOU, THANK YOU--with some great stuff, including M&Ms--yum--and giant knitting needles, so I can knit a scarf for one of the girls at the Aldea. Then it was time for a little run around the neighborhood. As I arrived home, there was a group of young musicians "jamming" in the little park in front of the house. They were playing traditional Peruvian music, and it was fabulous just to sit and listen to them. Look for a photo soon!

After a nice, warm shower, here I am, feeling pretty darn good. Thanks to you all for all the good wishes and supportive messages. Without them (and you), it would be so much harder for this gringa to stay smiling!

Best,
K

i think i fixed the multiple images

hi, folks. i think i fixed the multiple images. just a word--i think if you double click on the images, you can see them full size. but, i´m not sure.

sick again today, but i slept most of the day. i hope this part of my trip ends soon! it´s hard to stay my usually sunny self :) when i feel like crap (if you´ll pardon the expression).

oh, and by the way, if you feel the need to send me a care package (i urge you to keep it light, if you do, because it´s expensive to mail things here from the u.s.), you can mail them to me, c/o Marciano Miguel Mata, Urbanizacion Pio Pata, Las Peñas 103, El tambo-Huancayo. Junin. Peru.

just in case you feel the need. you should also know that my telephone number is (51) (64) 253445, and we´re currently the same as Eastern Standard Time.

best (and just a little pitiful today),
k

a quick entry

hi, there. just wanted to let everyone know that things are going well. i took a "vacation" day today, because i quit my tuesday-thursday job at the aldea rosario. gisella, my 23 year old "nieta" accompanied me there on tuesday, and she was so appalled at the situation, she told me i wasn´t allowed to go back. it was good to have my own suspicions confirmed. so, i´m looking for work starting next tuesday. actually, i already have another place lined up--a bit of a ride, but i think i´m going to get to work with babies!!! hooray!!!!

i cooked lunch for the family today--my first time. we had curried chicken salad (one of emily´s favorites), and i think it went over pretty well. i´m attaching a photo here (if i can).

best to you all, and please keep writing.