Reformed at La Reforma and getting a coach to Cochabamba

Hello all!

So, we’ve survived the last 10 or so days without the Madres (who are all on a retreat in Cochabamba). It’s been tough keeping everyone entertained (kids are always bored over summer holidays) but I think we’ve done alright.

On Monday we had a day trip to La Reforma, a small town in the country not too far away from Montero. In previous years groups of girls have spent week long retreats there with a volunteer. Previous volunteers have told us many horror stories of their time there (‘worst week of my life’, etc. etc.) and so it was with some trepidation that Sarah and I headed off on Monday morning. Fortunately we were only to stay the one day because the church in which we would normally stay in was infested with bees.

As it happens, the day went fine, although it was long. It’s hard work being in charge of a group of some 50 girls especially in such an open place… Our tactic for stopping people running off: we put on a Shakira CD which meant that everyone kept within earshot. (I can feel a witty comment coming from Jon Deamer, I just know it…).

For a lot of this week it’s been raining and so other activities have been limited to playing basketball (the court at the Hogar is covered with a roof) and watching DVDs of films and TV shows. Actually, the girls have been watching a bit too much TV recently, so yesterday we kept it switched off and instead last night we had a bit of an impromptu spontaneous party: we put some music on at the basketball court, handed out lollipops and bags of juice – what more do you need for a good party?!

This evening I’m off to Cochabamba for the weekend. Tomorrow it’s the ‘perpetual vows’ of one of the Madres at the Convent here in Montero and on Sunday all the nuns (of this order) from across Bolivia have an important meeting which everyone must attend. So I’m travelling up with the remaining Madres and three of the girls just for the weekend. I’ve heard that it’s cold up in the mountains, so I should be right at home. Oh, and I might even see a llama! That would be terribly exciting…

Love to all at home. Ciao for now!

Simon

P.S. I leave Bolivia one week today!