Today we had the good fortune of being able to sleep in. I didn’t realize I was going to need the extra rest – how hard is it holding babies and changing diapers? Our day started off very slowly. Bruce caught a great shot of Fuego, which had made a few booms in the night.
We went down to the park looking for Hernan, the cab driver. Bruce wanted to set it up to have him take me and pick me up at Casa Jackson. He wasn’t around so I hopped into a tuk tuk for the short ride out of town. I arrived at Casa Jackson just before 2 to a lot of chaos and confusion. Babies crying, little ones running around and I don’t know Spanish. An American woman was teaching English and she stepped in to help get me started.
My charges for the day were two sisters and a brother ages 3, 4, and 5. Oh my! My first thought was what did I get myself into. I couldn’t even communicate with them. So what did I do? I put them in laundry baskets and started pushing them around. All giggles and smiles. I think I won them over. We counted in Spanish, played paddycake and did some coloring. And it wasn’t even 3:00 yet. I was exhausted.
Next thing I know I was handed a bottle to feed a little one who doesn’t want to eat. She is extremely malnourished but hopefully she will start to eat. I changed her, held her and she fell asleep in my arms. That was a very sweet moment.
Oh yes and one child had head lice. And I know from experience if one child has head lice all of them will if they don’t get treated. I’m not sure they are aware of this and I tried to convey this to the person in charge.
It was a rewarding day. One little boy who was probably 10 months old, was crying a lot. I started playing with him and I put him in the window. Someone walked by with two dogs and he started smiling and waving. I gave him little kisses on the back of his neck and he giggled. There is nothing like a baby’s giggle. Precious moments.
They need a lot of help at Casa Jackson, and will need even more when they move to the new location. I plan to go back after we return from our week travels around Guatemala. And by the way, I went to a pharmacy and treated my head for lice. Not taking any chances.
Bruce and Hernan picked me up at five. Bruce and I went to Cafe Barista for a smoothie and for some time to unwind.
We met a friend for coffee and then had dinner at Dona Luisa. For dinner we both had 3 egg omelets with tomatoes, onions, and avocado. It was delicious.
Thursday night and a lot is happening around town. We stopped by Compania de Jesus where a jazz band was playing.
At San Jose el Viejo, an engagement party was taking place. They were setting off heart shape hot air balloons.
It was a busy night in Antigua. For me, I spent ten minutes with medication in my hair hoping to prevent lice. Such is life!
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