At my Spanish lesson this morning

my teacher told me that this afternoon she teaches some of the girls from the Santa Julia in an English class if I wanted to stop by.

The lessons are going well and although I find it hard to remember lots of things I think I am making a little progress.

I then went on a mystery walking tour and at last saw some of the ladies washing clothes at the public bath house.

If there is a tree in the way, no problem!

Some beautiful colours.

 

 

 

 

 

Found myself high up over the town.

The Parroquila church is still the main landmark. For all the history and colonial buildings  modern progress is everywhere.

Grand Dad with his shopping.

In the afternoon I went back to my school and knocked on the door where my Teacher, Lilly was teaching.  She motioned for me to come and there she was my Paola sitting with her school friends. She jumped up when she saw me and came running into my arms and kissed me on the cheek.  What else is there to say?????  I stayed for an hour and just listened to these small ladies studying their English.

It was lovely to see Paola again and I was happy to see she was wearing the pink watch we bought yesterday and some bands in her hair, she looked beautiful.

Linda and Guy are Rotarians and I was invited to their Christmas Party tonight. It was a great meal and this club is outstanding in the community work that they do in SMA.

So just another great day it seems the hours go by so fast and I am really enjoying my time.

Just want to say sorry I made a big mistake

yesterday when talking about Paola’s home.  She lives at the Casa Hogar Santa Julio Don Bosco.  Yesterday I referred to the home as an orphanage and that is not true because not all of the girls are orphans.  It is a lovely home for girls who come from families with dire circumstances.

I am in touch with one of the directors and arranging for Paola and I to have more visits whilst I am here in SMA.

Have a great day more to follow tonight, have to go and sunbathe………sorry couldn’t resist that!!

I shall remember this day…

No joke it was cool this morning had to get my socks and sweater out until the sun came out.

I went for my first Spanish lesson at 9am this morning.  The course is listed as “Survival Spanish”, I was the only one signed up and I really enjoyed the class and learned quite a bit without having to deal with conjugating verbs.  I go each morning at the same time five days a week.  Of course it didn’t hurt that my Professora,  Lilly was quite stunning!!

I then walked into town and saw these interesting sights…

The next part of my day was incredible and so touching.  I had signed up to sponsor a child from a local orphanage and to take the child Christmas shopping.  I was a little apprehensive as the instructions were very open,  an appointment was made for me to go to the orphanage and pick up the girl and take her shopping then bring her back to the orphanage.  I went with an open mind and I was blown away.

First of all it was very difficult to find the orphanage

when I rang the bell the door was opened by the Madre, who greeted me and took me inside.  Madre then went to fetch the girl I was to take shopping.  Please meet Paola, she is 8 years old.

We introduced ourselves and then we left, as soon as we started to walk down the path so nonchalantly and lovingly Paola held my hand.  We walked about 300 yards till we found a taxi, we tried to talk to each other and she held my hand the whole time and looked at me with those eyes and kept smiling.

The instructions I had were to spend 500 pesos and Paola could pick what she wanted.  We went to a big store where we first bought some clothes that she picked out.

Paola chose a pink dress, a white sweater, gloves, hat and some sandals.  The next aisle we went into was the hair aisle where she picked a hair brush and clips for her hair and then some gel for her hair.

Now it was time for chocolates!!

Of course Paola had to have a toy…

We then went through the checkout

then went for a drink and a treat and then took the taxi back to the orphanage.

Paola was so sweet and I was smitten with her and already decided that I was going to make an attempt to make a small difference in her life.  When I came home I checked the web site for the orphanage www.santajulia.org and found that it is possible to join a program called “Support a girl”.  For a monthly donation some of Paola’s needs will be meet.

I have some wonderful friends who gave me money before I left for such a need so we are going to pool our resources and join the program with Paola as our girl.  You know who you are and thank you!!!!!!

I took the taxi from the orphanage to the place I had my lesson this morning to do my volunteer work.  I have volunteered for 90 minutes three days a week in the class where I went yesterday.

Today when I went to the class the teacher Patty asked me if I would also go to another class as well.  Boy I have been a “teacher” for one hour and already I am in demand!!!!

I took my computer to class and showed the kids photos of snow, whales, where I live, pumpkins and my family.  The kids were great.  I then went to the next class where the children were a little younger.

Please no comments about my art work on the black board!!

Tonight I rounded off a great day by going to the local church around the corner for a live play.  It was a very tiny theatre about 75 seats and the play was a comedy and was very well done, I really enjoyed the evening.  Want to know how much admission was??   20 pesos, 2 dollars!!

Today goes down as one of my best days for years I really am  not able to articulate the sheer joy of being with Paola, her exuberance, her smile, her happiness and her complete trust in me.

Hope you all can share with me in the joy of today, blessings Les

and another great day

Woke up at 6am and there was a snowy blizzard outside, the wind was howling and the only reason the awning wasn’t blowing away was all the snow on it.  No church bells and even the roosters were quiet.  It was freezing inside Ramona I had to get up and put my woolly socks and thermal underwear on……….NOT

Spent a leisurely morning around home Ramona had a spa day yesterday and she looks like new.

Walked into town and these are some of the sights on the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well I have found the school where I am to have my Spanish Lessons,  their sign is above. the entrance and court yard.

 

 

 

 

 

I have signed up for private lessons starting tomorrow.  I go for one hour five days a week and I go at 9am.  If someone else comes to sing up  they will join me and the price will be adjusted.  I am looking forward to this and it is called survival Spanish so I hope to get some understanding of the language.

While I was there I asked if there were any volunteer positions open and to my amazement I was told yes right away.  So I am now volunteering three days a week for 90 minutes with 8 kids learning English.

These are the children and their teacher Patty.

I was totally shocked I was introduced and Patty said they are all yours.  So there I was totally unprepared and what a wonderful experience.  The children all have a basic understanding of English and we asked each other questions and I told them stories.  The kids were attentive, fun and very polite.  I go back tomorrow and promised them I would bring my computer and show photos of my family and where I live.

So now my stay is complete I have friends, a place to live, taking lessons and volunteering, what more can a man ask for?

This is the church close to my home.

On the walk home I decided to take some photos of the interesting door knockers.  You could spend all day taking photos because there are so many,  so here are a few.

My home set up..

The ultimate photograph

Ramona, bbq hamburger coming up, laundry done, perfect setting with trees and the church in the background.

After supper I could hear the pounding of drums so went to investigate and found these kids in the school yard playing drums.

Ranks as another great day here in SMA…

Just a perfect day..

I hear some of you are already getting tired of me starting my posts by saying  “woke up to a sunny bright day” so you will hear that no more from me.

There was this bright light shining in my face this morning so I got up……..how was that?

Went for run and was happy that I am now able to run the laps four times and walk three, so I think I am getting acclimatised to the altitude.

Had a great breakfast and decided to walk into town and get some information on the kids at the orphanage.  I did find the place and have signed up as a volunteer and also sponsored a child for Christmas, more about that another day when I find out exactly what is involved.

On the walk back to the park  some great sights look at all the wires here! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cat nap!!

This is a hotel close to where I am staying.

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken for dinner anyone??

See the little one in between the parents?

This is priceless..some of the best moments in life happen so quickly and don’t cost a cent.

I was walking back through through park where I run in the morning and saw these kids sitting around having lunch.  They looked so happy and I asked the teacher if I would be allowed to take a photo and she told me of course and the kids just loved having their photo taken.  I got them already and counted 1,2,3 in Spanish then took the photo I then asked them in Spanish to take another this time to count to three in English and they all did, their squeaky little voices saying 1,2,3 in English, then they all rush to look at the photo in the camera.  A moment that will stay with me for a long time.

In the evening I was invited to Linda and Guy’s for supper and also to watch an event that only happens once every 30 years or so.  The moon and Venus and Jupiter being as close as they were tonight.  My photo is not great but..

the two dots on in the middle and off to the far right are Venus and Jupiter.

Another great day…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!!

This is a very special lady pictured here with her wonderful father in law and my special friend Ken.

Today I wish you a special happy day full of love and happiness and glad that you are sharing this day with Kirby and the boys!!!!  Wish I could be there to help celebrate.  Blessings to you….Les