SaimasCharityTravels

Cusco airport my final destination, as i walked through the airport to the baggage claim area i was being spoken to by everyone and the only thing i could say back was “yo no hablo espanol’, which was quite ironic given i was saying i can’t speak their language in their language.  Anyway, managed to find my way to the baggage claim area walking from one conveyor belt to another as there was nothing to tell me which flight the baggage belonged too.  Managed to spot my suitcase, only to notice 2 of the wheels had been broken off, and the case itself looked liked a few dogs had had a major scrapping fight all over it.  At this point, i was tired, excited, anxious in a country where everyone seemed to look related to me but a stranger amongst them all and all i wanted was to see the person who was collecting me at arrivals.

Jeremy, the charity co-ordinator and my ‘go-to’ person for the next 2 weeks received me from the airport and we drove straight to the orphanage.  We walked through a very narrow alley way, and got to the girls orphanage, as i was guided through the entrance it was very dark and cold, walked through a small room which had a wooden table and then opened another door to a small room, with a long table and wooden chairs with 4 of the girls were sitting doing homework and 3 cleaning up.  As they saw me walk through one by one they came up to me, gave me the biggest hugs and kisses and at that moment, whatever i felt at the airport just turned into heart felt warmth and excitement.  The smile on my face seeing these girls welcome me like i was someone they had known for years, not one of them was shy they just approached me like i was family and it was the most heartfelt feeling to have experienced.

We then were taken to the boys orphanage and they stay about 10mins drive away from the girls.  As we walked into this dark and cold building, a lot of voices could be heard and at that moment i knew we had arrived amongst the boys orphanage.  As i was directed in they all cam over and again kisses on the cheek and one by one they all welcomed me into their home.  We arrived at dinner time so i sat there and listened to them say grace and give thanks for what they had before tucking into their meal.  As i sat there with a bowl of what can only described as a mushy potato, vegetable and chicken soup i sat and ate my food whilst watching the boys guzzle down their very generous portions like it was there last meal.  I felt blessed to be sat amongst them listening to them have their own conversations in Spanish, trying to get me involved but all i could say was ‘Si’.

I helped stack the chairs away, stack their bowls away made of steel and then watched them get ready for music time.  They swept the floors and made space in one of the rooms to bring in the drums, guitars, recorders and other instruments to begin music time.  I watched them for about 15mins before it was time to head back to the girls home and for me to take up my residency for the next 2weeks.