Casa Bernabe, House of Comfort

 

Here we are at the end of another year, and what a year it has been for me. Having spent the month here in Guatemala, I have seen the daily dedication of people who so freely give their time and lives to nurture and care for children. Set up in homes with 16 children in each, house parents raise these kids in a loving environment, giving them as much of a normal family life as possible. The baby house is no exception, and the carers there, are devoted to the needs the children have. It has been a rewarding experience working alongside these people, despite the language barrier. And the babies themselves, have touched a special place in my heart with their smiles, laughter and unconditional affection. This is a well organized functioning orphanage that meets the needs of both orphaned and at risk children and families wanting to adopt. The large market garden feeds not only the Casa, but also neighbouring villages. 

Christmas was a festive time with traditional tamales, visits from Santa and other organisations bringing gifts and pinatas, lights decorating and lighting up the casas, and lots of fireworks!!

It is with tears I leave this place, will I return? Who knows?

Casa de los Angelitos

a special wee lad nearly three years old

riding bikes flintstone style

the grandes eating table

breakfast time

the little girl who stole my heart

Christmas ... a new bulldozer



Christmas Eve Dinner altogether

Casa Bernabe Campus

Christmas Eve tamales

a visit from Santa

happy babies

so cute

bonbon's at Christmas time

Pinata time with the chicas

pinanta time with the chicos

Casa Bernabe playground

cuddles with my three year old friend

Santa giving presents to both young and older children

my angel

playground antics

one of our favourite playtime activities

market garden

 

Visiting Southern USA

I had the opportunity to explore some other parts of the United States.  The state of Nevada with Las Vegas and Cirque du Soleil, the state of Arizona with the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, the state of Texas with San Antonio and the Alamo and the state of Florida with Epcot and Seaworld theme parks, Miami Beach, Key West and the Everglades.  A busy time, lots of ground covered and sights seen.  Some things cannot really be captured by photo, like the Grand Canyon, and the vistas seen across the Key waterways, although I gave it a go!  I have been surprised at how Spanish seems to be the main language spoken in Southern states I have visited.  Have I learnt any …  no not really …. probably about to get a crash course in Guatemala where I leave to help with the babies in Casa Bernabe Orphanage.  

Farewell USA (for now) Hola Guatemala

 

Dolphin Show at SeaWorld, Orlando

Epcot Spaceship Earth, Orlando

Everglades National Park,  Miami

Illumination Show, Epcot, Orlando

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park



Off Keys West, Florida

Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas

Sunset at Grand Canyon

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

Soaking up the Caribbean

 

It was wonderful to be able to spend a week in the Caribbean on St John and St Thomas (US Virgin Islands) with my sister, just relaxing, checking out the scenery and enjoying the beaches.  We managed to do some hiking and snorkeling, and had some great meals out.  Stayed at three very different accommodations, a small funky little Inn, wooden framed tents in an Eco-Resort, and a small hotel by the water.  Something about island air and island time makes life so much easier ….

tent cabins nestled in the trees overlooking Saltpond Bay and the Ocean

Cruz Bay, St Johns

Lindberg Bay, St Thomas

Maho Bay, St Johns

Lynette and I on the ferry to St John

At Ramshead Point, St John

Ferry Landing at Cruz Bay

Sunset at Rum Punch time, St Johns Inn

Trunk Bay, St John

California, the Golden State

I have had three wonderful weeks in California with my sister and her husband, and I can’t forget the baby in the family, their dog Stella!!!

Arriving on US soil after spending some time in the UK showed up the great differences between the two countries.  California is so dry with no rain for many months, and everything is big!  Houses, roads, cars, land area, shopping centres, meal portions …. nothing is done on a small scale, and to travel from A to B involves many miles and lots of time!  I have had fun road tripping around California with my sister and seeing the many different landscapes and areas, with national parks, lakes, coastal areas, wine country, plains, hill country, small towns and the city of San Francisco.  And I even got the aerial views flying in my brother-in-law’s plane where everything looks so different.  Some really amazing contrasts and has been great sharing it with family.

Vista from Moro rock, Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park

sunset from the air over San Joaquin valley

the first of the seasons snow

road tripping in Northern California



ready to perform on Pier 39, San Francisco

the lighthouse at Point Reyes National Seashore

ocean at Point Reyes

Northern Californian coast line

Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe

Sequoias and autumn colours

autumn in Sequoia National Park



almond orchards and the foot hills around San Joaquin valley