A Voyage to New Seas... or at least touching the Pacific Ocean

     The past week has been full. I would be unable to describe it any other way. Not only were there challenges, there were new experiences and memories made. Bit by bit I am getting to know the children better. In my broken Spanish I communicate with them, and yet they are so patient with me. (That isn't to say they don't mock me as well... at times)

     Summer here is in full swing. The thought that today (well, rather yesterday now) is groundhogs day, is so bizarre. I don't think snow is in the forecast for us here. Although, from what I have heard, there isn't much back home either. Here are some pictures to show a little bit of what has been going on. 

     Last weekend a few of us went to Huanchaco, a beach/surf town, not too far away. It was very crowded, which is not normal (from what I hear). Come to find out later, Surf Pro Peru 2012 was going on while we were there. 

 

 The beach at Huanchaco. 

 At a little place getting a snack. This lady was the cook. 

Those are the little counters where the meat is sold. 

     One evening I went up on the roof to take a few pictures. It wasn't a night with a spectacular sunset, although, I do hope to capture that before I leave. 

Its fun to sit and watch the kids on the playground. They love being outside. 

 

You can see the ocean. 

     Jo, a long term volunteer who had been here just over six months, left this week. We had a little going away party for her.

 

 Pablo, one of the twins. 

 Junior

The kids with Jo (There were a few missing)

     One evening we went to the beach in Moche to watch the sunset. The sunset itself wasn't that great, but the trip was a success. I learned I like the Moche beach a lot better than the one in Hunachaco, which is splendid, because it is a lot closer. Plus I got to touch the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

 My first touch of the Pacific Ocean. I was very excited to feel any ocean after so many years. 

The beach houses. Very Peruvian, and yet they oddly remind me of Cape May. (The town my family went on vacation to every year.)


     I have the privilege of spending a lot of time with the Chispas. (The young girls) So one morning, I (and some of the girls) took pictures of the free time we had together.

 What little girl doesn't love playing with tires? 

 Rosita: My little buddy

 

 We could play with them for hours. 

 Cristina: I love this girl

 Sofia, Jennifer and Cristina. Cristina and Jennifer are sisters. 

Isabel and Yamelit.


     Finally, here are a few pictures of the kids just hanging out, and having a blast. It is cool to see how they can find fun in such simply things. On this particular day, the kids were lining up to jump this pole. They stayed entertained for well over an hour.

 Samir is jumping. Cristina and Fernando are holding the pole. 

Abraham is really good at this. 


 It is late, and I must go to bed. I will leave you with one last picture of a sunset. This picture was taken when I was walking up the drive to the orphanage one evening.