It seems there's always a way to help around here. In the kitchen or trying to engage the men in some activity. Miolito is a coloring machine & several others are regulars. They got tired of duplos & the one simple puzzle here so we played more balloon volleyball until we got tired! Since several of our dear friends (you know who you are) sent money with us to spend when we see needs,I told Sister Anita and asked if she thought it would be good to spend some of that donated money to get some more things for the men to play with. Smiling, she readily agreed and asked Michaela (long time volunteer) to go with us. Off we went to a nice toy store where Michaela & I picked out lots of toys we thought the men could play successfully considering their disabilities. Many are toys toddlers use to improve eye hand coordination. Also fidgets, slinkies, magic cubes, large piece puzzles,etc. We'll keep them in our villa & take them out just one or two at a time.
We got back in time to go on the large group outing. The nuns encouraged everyone to join and it took some coxing to get some of them to go. Pushing the ones in wheelchairs while those who could walk with or without help slowly made their way to the river park. It was a very short distance but took a long time to get everyone sitting on the a long bench with a view of the river and the breeze in their faces. Helena had brought a guitar & sang sweetly while Sister Anita passed out orange drink & candy. After a bit, a vendor selling churros came by and I think, Michael stopped her & bought one for everyone. Delicious! One man has a disease that makes his skin very itchy and so he is always moving back & forth in his wheelchair. Sister Anita started to imitate the movement & said he was like Michael Jackson. Love her sense of humor & ability to tease these guys which always makes them smile. After a bit I noticed Sister Joan wasn't there so figured she was working in the kitchen and could use my help. Yup. Rog said after I left a local man came by and played the guitar and sang really well. Slowly the procession returned without incident until they noticed Fran, the runaway wasn't there….Rog jumped on a bike, Helena drove off in her car and several nuns took off running! Quite the scene. He was found quickly. Never a dull moment. After the dinner mess is cleaned up most nights, Rog & I get on the bikes & head out looking for our dinner and the chance to be around the average Argentinian. We probably are the only tourist here though we don't look much different than most of them. We ride by many families & couples relaxing in the cool evening breeze sipping their mate…a tea like drink. They have a large thermos of hot water which they pour some of into a cup filled with a mate mix & then sip it through a metal straw…refilling as needed. It's such a common site and the cups & straws are often very unique. On Saturday night, there were bands performing…one punk rock and the other more of an Irish band with the flute player who was outstanding. We find it quite amazing that we found ourselves in a place where we can make someone's life a bit better, be with wonderful nuns who we can chat & laugh with, have bikes to ride to nice restaurants nearby & do a bit of exploring, live in our own private albeit simple villa…all in a sunny warm place. It's truly a win-win situation!
