Nevado y Laguna Churup, Huaraz: 6-6-2010

A dreamlike lake which can see the reflection of the sky and surroundings.

Chris and I had to climb up in the middle part of this mountain to get to the lake. When I said climb, we literally climbed with ropes for crying out loud! It was certainly one of the most freaky but wonderful experiences! Oh, did I say it´s 4800m above sea level?

A waterfall we passed during our adventurous trekking.

After an adventurous and exciting climb, we finally arrived in the crystal clear Laguna Churup in the backdrop of Nevado Churup!


Laguna Churup shined with multi-colored water, thanks to the crystal clear water and various algaes in the lake.


A view of the town Pitec, in the midst of our 8 hours trekking. We were extremely exhausted not just because of the length, but mainly due to the high altitude and thin air, constantly climbing up and serious rock climbing.

Laguna Llanganuco, Huaraz: 5-6-2010

Me in the backdrop of Laguna Llanganuco and the magnificent Andes mountain range.

Glaciated Andean mountain behind this 3800m above sea level lake.


Another view of LL, so surreal that it seems like a painting.

The gorgeous turquoise lake with spectacular flora and fauna surroundings.

The shining lake behind the red quenua trees typical in the lakes area.

Huascarán, Huaraz: 5-6-2010

A brook in the backdrop of majestic Huascarán.

Beautiful scenary below Nevado Huascarán.

The highest glaciated Andean peak in Parque Nacional de Huarascán, Nevado Huascarán.


Another majestic snow-capped Andean peak with beautiful surroundings.

First glimpse of the scenary in the city of Yungay ... simply breathtaking!

4-6-2010

Lemar´t eating his orange.

The twins played a puzzle together during therapy.

My boy!

One of my favorite boys, Carlos Abel, with a sunshine smile.

Today the kids had no school, so we had breakfast at 8am. I woke up happily and peacefully around 6:30am with a glimpse of sunlight shining through the window. I got up, got my morning coffee, and saying good mornings to everyone passed by. It was such a wonderful way to start the day.

After breakfast, I started getting ready to go to Lima after chatting with a few people. I hopped on a colectivo in which I sat in the trunk, because there were a few older persons hopped on in the town of Lunahuaná and so I gave them the front seats. While I was waiting them to load their luggages, the kindergarten kids passed by in a line, supposedly just went out for a walk. I saw all my boys and girls and we enthusiastically said hi to each other. Jhonatan even ran to the trunk and gave me a hug. I kissed him and told him I will be back soon. Now I am going to Huaraz for the weekend, but I am going to miss them terribly. I already am.

1-6-2010

Alondra with her playdoh bracelet and ring.

José Luis with a pair of white playdoh glasses ... he is so funny!

Jhonatan with a pair of yellow one.

Big brother Lemar´t and cute cute Claudio.

Little brother Lemar´t with Anabel and Renzo.

I have been really busy writing reports and analysis in the past few days, so I spent a lot of time in the psychology office and also had meetings concerning some children's issues and progress. But in the morning I bumped into Claudio, Lemar't and a few other kids before they went to the clinic in Cañete. Claudio just had this horrifying haircut ... If I knew who cut his hair like this I will curse I swear! ... Nonetheless he is incredibly cute with his bag and everything. Lemar't was playing with him, and he looked like a big brother to Claudio. In fact, he's like this with Julio as well.

In the evening, when Brígida and I were getting all the reports ready, Kevin came in and asked for some strong glue because one of his running shoes was torn in the front. I felt so sorry for him! I mean, I never had shoes like that, and in fact if my shoes were just getting old, I would have bought another pair. But his shoe was basically unwearable because the front part had about a 10 cm cut! Brígida asked him to wear another pair, but he didn't have one. It made me feel horrible. I shall go and look for a new pairs of shoes for him.

30-5-2010

Carlos Abel playing the hula hoop after I showed him how.

Anita playing volleyball.

Lemar´t and Jhonatan playing merry-go-round.

Julio waiting for the games to start.

Musical chair ... Marcos and Jefferson got the last 2 seats, and Samanta lost ... she cried afterwards!

This weekend was full of events, and we were really busy! On Saturday, the kids did cleaning before breakfast, so we were ready for the activities of Padrino Day. Padrinos, which means godparents, are people who sponsor the kids individually for their livings as well as special occasions such as pocket money for their birthday so that they can buy something they like. Since no padrinos were here, we celebrated by playing games and sports all day, with lunch outdoor. It was surely fun for the kids and for us, since hardly they have that much free time often to play. As always, I was crowded by the little ones, whom I have spent most time with. I took them to play in the swing set, sang songs, took them to the bathroom, fed them and simply hung out with them. It was very tiring but at the same time very rewarding. Cutest thing of the day: I hung out with Claudio for a bit and he hugged me so tightly and didn't want to let go! I actually had to go to do something, so I put him down. Then he grabbed my fingers so tightly that I couldn't leave! Then I told him I had to go but would come back. When I reached outside, I heard him crying! So I went back and comforted him and hung out a bit longer with him.

No church on Sunday because a lot of kids had to perform dancing in a school event later today, and they spent the morning practicing. I, on the other hand, spent most of the day writing reports. Jhonatan and Lemar't were so sweet, they came in the library where I was working and checked on me with their cheeky smiles. I took them out as they are, though super sweet, usually very disruptive! I gave them kisses and took them back to the tias. Later after I finished work, I went to the kinder room and gave sweets to all the kids without disciponary measures. I felt like they and I deserved a break from behavioral management, and just let myself treat them naturally, as an uncle should do. Afterwards, I needed to go to the kitchen and put a spoon back there, and Jhonatan insisted to accompany me. So we went together, and he held my hand so tight! On the way back, he was whispering something, so I took him up and tried to listen to what he had to say. And he whispered with a cheeky smile and sneaky voice, "Can you give me a candy just for me?" I found it so funny, and he is so smart! Unfortunately I didn't carry extra candies, so I couldn't give him any. I gave him a big kiss though. It has been a lot of trembling, and in fact it was trembling earlier as I was writing this. Hope nothing serious is going to happen!

27-5-2010

A kitten in the laundry basket: José Luis!

Big brother Lemar´t and Julio.


Lemar´t requested to do another glasses ... this time it´s red!

Un Papá Noel: Jhonatan!

The cutest puppy!

When I was walking towards the upper therapy room to do exercise this morning, Julio called me and posed his classic pose of getting me to hold him, so instead of doing exercise I played with him! We played in the swing together and he laughed when it went high. Then I took him for a walk around the home, where I met Brígida who reminded me to get a small thing done. So I told Julio to wait for me downstairs while I went up to my room and get it done quickly. Two seconds after, I heard him crying, so I held him and got up to finish the task quickly. While I was in my room, I gave him a piece of cracker and he loved it. When we went down, Lemar't saw me and ran to me. Once he saw the cracker in Julio's hand, he pointed at it and frowned his face and nodded his head, and said "sí"! So I went up to my room again and get him a piece of cracker. This time, I asked them to hold hands and waited for me downstairs. They waited very quietly and nicely, and even when they were eating the crackers they were still holding hands! It was so cute!