Aparta Hotel Eslait Barranquilla

... apartment building to rent in an upscale neighborhood. That's right, an office...the very place I desperately avoid spending any time whatsoever these days. The owners converted it into a room complete with air conditioning and internet to make a little extra money this week. It's not like they're going to do any work in it anyway....it's Carnival after all. So for me ...

... be going to Cartagena, since I have been meaning to go for the best part of the last 6 months but never actually made it. Since we only had the morning and most of the afternoon, we decided to spend our time in the old historic centre (which is the nicest part anyway), the old part of Cartagena, an old walled town dating back to the time of the spanish conquistadors. This was where they'd stash all the gold they'd raided from the ...

... a few rounds, but I was too shy, I felt like an intruder, even though there were a few other foreigners dancing too. Then came out the candles, and the women danced with candles, wax dripping over the hands, but they didn't seem to mind. Someone gave me some to give to Lili, and I brought them to her while she was dancing, but she didn't want them, so I got the hot wax all over my hand instead! It didn't hurt though. We stayed there until about two, when we went ...

... her breath. Then she asked me the state my name, I did, she repeated me name to the charm, while tapping it, up, and down, up, and down, up, and down. She made me state my mother's name, grandparent's names, and great-grandparents names.... Well, just one great grand-parent, but I didn't know their names, so I just told her my other grandparents name... don't think it's a big deal though, it will still work. Then Lili had to give her name ...

... I am making good progress on the business plan, and have helped develop a number of grant applications. Total funds I helped bring in so far, after 1.5 months, and this is where the good news comes in, is $562,000. Total amount of funds applied for so far ~$970,000. The latest grant application to be approved, is worth $500,000, and will assure program continuation for 750 children for three years!! I wanted to come here to have impact, to make ...

... a month for a medical internship. She asked if I was going out tonight, or if I wanted to hang out - I told her that I was embarrassed. But then I told her that I would come over to introduce myself. I thought it was very courageous to do what she did, and she invited me, so it was only right to go meet them, it was very nice of them to invite me. I met Oscar, Daniel, Natalia, and Adriana (prefers Nana), who were hanging out in ...

... locals and all that! Got a lovely blue dress and a pair of fantastic spangly silver shoes, as well as some big dangly earrings, all for the grand price of £25! I then proceeded to don said outfit for a night on the town, starting with steak and chips at the revolving restaurant on the top floor of one of the swank hotels with the French assistant Isaure (we promised ourselves that after so much hoping and pleading we would treat ...

... So loud one could barely hear, but other than that it really was great. Shirly is so nice, and is just such a warm-hearted, kind, happy, compassionate person. I really gotta review my Spanish grammar, I am having difficulty conjugating words, especially when I'm tired, which is a lot of the time.  So, Maria Alejandra took a week off, for her wedding, so I am now in charge of making sure the team keeps on going. This is seriously kinda of ...

... in debt (bankrupt), and start selling/taking drugs, smoking, gang activity, and even selling their bodies. The program takes the kids off the streets, feeds them (many are malnourished), teaches them values, gives them dreams, and hopefully has lasting effects on their lives. There were kids visiting from similar program in Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena, for a tournament, and Karen hosted two girls form Cartagena, Mari and Diana. After work, Karen and the two ...

... one was spent in the queue outside said office, again melting in the tropical heat. I don't think I've ever felt quite so British). Apparently I was queuing for another certificate which I needed to be able to work, which I couldn't have got without my "alien card". But apparently I can't get a contract to work without this certificate, and I can't open a bank account without all of the above, hence I don't get paid. So I'm leaving it til Monday ...