The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

Saturday dawned a warm day with blue sky but followed by intermittent cloud and really heavy downpours in the evening, and Sunday has started cloudy and cool. I almost felt the need for a pullover. And now the rain is coming down heavily as if to prepare me for England. I've been well bitten despite the deet. I think they've got me at night. Tonight I'll unfold the sheet and have it over my arms and head too. Especially since Miguel, the young man here said they're Zancudo, the big mosquitos and when I looked up they're the dengue fever ones. But I've not heard of it being around here at the moment. Yesterday I squashed one on  the sheet and it was full of blood! Mine I imagine. Yesterday I did a little pen and ink sketch of the view and painted it later. Miguel asked if he could have it as a present. I don't see why not! Marvin, Sylvia and Jordy arrived on the bus mid morning, I had been for a swim and was doing some sewing whilst drying off. I show...

The end of the week has included two more school farewells, one at El Corozal and one at Las Pilas. And today I move on to another hotel, so the hotel owner is picking me up and taking me to Marvin's house. Patrick is coming too as he's doing some plumbing work.  Yesterday he went to the builders' merchant to buy the parts, with a lift from Carlos, who works here. I had a quiet morning having a drink with Jose and his friend in a little ranchita near the university. His friend is also a recovering alcoholic and has been sobre for 18 months during which time he has set up this little business selling fruit drinks and bottled drinks to the university students. He has constructed much of it himself in wood and it is very good. I keep my fingers crossed for these young men who have lost their way. It is such a waste of their lives.  They gave me cake and a pineapple smoothie and wouldn't let me pay anything. This has been a big change this year as before I rather felt peo...

On Tuesday Patrick came to Rafaela Herrera to follow up the work on the water tank. Unfortunately they had  managed to lose the ball valve in the process of cleaning.  Marvin found the ball valve but not the arm, and as it was broken any way we decided a new one was needed. It's a bit difficulties I'm trying to translate for Patrick who makes little Spanish. I funds it a bit embarrassing as I'm used to speaking Spanish with everyone here. Fortunately there is a teacher Uzuel  who teaches English and he has helped too.  Patrick's a bit judgemental, uding phrases like, I can't understand why they do this or that, and you'd think at least they'd.. ...etc. He made comments like this about the latrines, not really understanding that if there's not  water coming through all the time, and if water has to be paid for, then of course people will use traditional latrines. And there's nothing wrong with them if they are dug correctly providing you don't min...

Sunday was a relaxing day.  I was visited in the morning by Martin and Veronica. He wanted to share the reasons behind him not joining  in the family excursions. He gave me a bottle of honey to bring back. Sadly the coffee harvest has not been good this year. I went to Urbaite where we lunched at Esmeralda's. We explored a couple of areas on the return walk, and passed the afternoon relaxing in quiet companionship with a bit of sewing.  Unfortunately later at the Miraflores the other residents were a bit noisy, and I am thinking the large group at the weekend may be so, so I am looking out for another option. Tonight's family looking round are pretty noisy too. But I have booked Charco Largo for the last few nights, more expensive but a bit of a treat as I didn't get off the island again. This morning I had a visit from Rick (Fiona's brother in law) and we chatted and went for a walk along the beach.   I think we have both learnt similar things from our time ...

The day of San Valentín is celebrated widely here. The children wear red and the schools are decorated with balloons. There are big displays about love and friendship and the children have a half a day off. Very Latin American and an excuse for lots of festivities.  There seems to be a lot of  camaraderie amongst the staff. I had far too many invitations today. Everyone wanted to use their festivities as an opportunity to say thank you, along with the theme of the day. I felt like the queen with an itinerary to keep, leaping from place to place, giving speeches and receiving food! Rafaela Herrera had organised the band and street parade. This was such a moving experience. They got all the new instruments out, and the children had mostly arrived wearing their kit.  It all started with a formation in the playground and the children lining up. Then they were led into the street and from here we processed down the main road to the health centre where we turned ...