January 27 - Trujillo: Sunny and 85; Philly: Snowing and 18

As we begin the descent into Philadelphia, the white landscape begins to take shape through the clouds. Snow-covered rooftops and the partially-frozen river warn of the frigid temperature awaiting us. 

I open my front door and enter a time warp: I'm greeted by cheery snowmen, ribboned wreaths, and colorful packages. It's still Christmas here.  

Unpacking my luggage, I go through my suitcases, deciding which things to save or discard. In the front zippered pocket of the backpack rests a piece of lined paper. It's a note from Sarah and Juliana - tucked away to be discovered upon my arrival home. It's among the most beautiful letters I've ever received. Thank you, girls, and I pray that our paths cross again. Your zest for life energized me.

The closing credits...

A special thanks to everyone at the Bruce Organisation. Your important work with the children of Trujillo will continue to inspire others to join you in your mission. 

Love and gratitude to my sister, Claudia McBride, my colleagues at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, and my family for making this past month possible. 

And... Sister Dolores Jean, wherever you may be, thank you for leading the way.

January 25 and 26 - Lima

After early morning goodbyes at the apartment, Theresa, Carol, Donna and I fly to Lima for two days before heading home. The Jersey girls made the hotel reservation and it's a terrific choice - an old Spanish mansion in Miraflores, formerly a private home filled with antiques and lots of charm and character. After two days of sightseeing and shopping, we're all ready to go home. I'm so glad they made the trip down - I know it's not the vacation they would have chosen but they came to see a friend.

Our late night flight arrives in Miami the next day, and we connect to Philadelphia.

January 24 - Last Day in Trujillo

We say goodbye to Singapore Julianna as she prepares to leave for her trek to Machu Picchu. The Jersey girls and I meet up to go on a walking tour of the beautiful Spanish colonial buildings in Trujillo. The streetfront facades hide magnificent courtyards, balconies, fountains, and period rooms designed and built for such important figures in Trujillo's history as Pizarro.

The afternoon includes dinner at El Paisa with most of my roommates and the Jersey girls. Sarah and Julianna, great party planners, have the wine chilling when we arrive and we order several dishes to share. A lively discussion ensues as Mikey, a new volunteer on a break from Penn State, expresses his distaste for both Philadelphia Eagles football fans and dating Jersey girls. I seem to recall that we changed his mind on both counts. After all, Springsteen never wrote a song about central Pennsylvania girls, did he?

In the evening, the Jersey girls and I attend the Marinera Festival at the Coliseo. Marinera is Trujillo's annual week-long event with parades, Marinera dance competitions and parties. People come from all over to enjoy the festivities. We buy standing room tickets for Saturday evening and watch several performances of the "dance of courtship."

I join the roommates for one last drink on the roof deck before leaving for Lima in the morning.  How very fortunate I am to have fallen into such a perfect group. Tears roll down my cheeks as, again,  I laugh until it hurts.

January 23 - Adios Milagro!

A fun day is planned for the children with supplies purchased by American friends -thank you! Colored pencils, coloring books, and construction paper aplenty. The photo project is met with excitement as each child sees himself in full color. I wonder how many have ever seen photos of themselves. We set to work with colored pencils, decorating the paper border surrounding the photo. Some are minimalists - just their names and a flower or star placed strategically on the perimeter. Others fill the paper with super heroes and thunderbolts, animals and other unrecognizable figures. We tear pages from the coloring books - the girls choose pages from the princess book, the boys gravitate toward the dinosaur and animal books. Some things are predictable, even in Milagro. 

At dismissal, Lourdes tells them that it is my last day with them at San Martin de Porres; I fight back tears as they warmly applaud. Those with backpacks place their artwork in them for safekeeping; the others hold their masterpieces carefully for the walk home. They rise from their chairs and form single file lines, a few running back for a goodbye kiss.  I take one more photo - this time, a mental one that will remain with me always.

January 22 - The Jersey girls arrive

Some of the children are curious about my absence the day before and when I explain that I wasn't feeling well, their faces show true concern. A bit of a role reversal. In addition to our teaching duties, we also soothe scraped elbows, repair falling ponytails, and referee playground disputes. I guess that's what life is all about - caring for one another, age notwithstanding.

On the ride back to town, an old woman, front teeth missing, climbs into the combi with two small children. I assume that she is the children's grandmother until I look more closely. Her sad, young eyes give her away. I make the connection to another young woman thousands of miles north of Milagro with very different dreams for her child.

Off to the airport to meet the Jersey girls - Theresa, Carol and Donna - three friends who are coming to meet me in Trujillo. They're relatively easy to find in the airport - three blonds in a sea of dark hair and dark skin. 

This evening, I say goodbye to my English students. They are truly a joy and give me reason to believe that I might want to continue teaching ESL back home. Their enthusiasm is infectious and we agree to correspond by email - in English, of course!

I meet up with the Jersey girls for dinner.  Although guinea pig and other local delicacies would make for a more authentic experience, we play it safe and go to a local Italian restaurant for pizza and wine. Another guinea pig's life saved !

January 21 - The Flu

Seems that the flu has gotten hold of me. Feverish and ill through the night, I remain in bed all day Wednesday.  As she quietly tiptoes around me, I feel badly for Matilde, a new roommate who arrived from England yesterday. Let's hope I'm not contagious.  

January 20 - Finally... Inauguration Day!

The excitement has been building as we watch Barack Obama's train ride from Philadelphia (yeah!) to Washington, D.C.   Everyone in the apartment congregates in front of the television for the pre-inauguration festivities from the capitol. Two million people fill the mall area between the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building; the energy is felt in our little apartment thousands of miles away. My friends from around the globe seem almost as excited as I am as we discuss the hope we hold for President Obama and acknowledge the formidable obstacles his administration will face. Unfortunately, we must leave for our schools and I will miss the ceremony. 

Upon my return to the center just after noon, I meet up with the few that arrived in time to see the live swearing in ceremony. They're a little surprised that Obama flubbed his oath. We all hope things get better for him.

Good news for the evening - we discover that the dance school offers an 8:00 salsa class and I join the others for a salsa lesson. More fun than I could have ever imagined for 7 soles ($2.50)!