Builders and Babies

On Wednesday this week the builders moved in, well not literally but it feels like that! the constant banging and dust has meant several changes have taken place. My little corner of the kitchen is now the storeroom as that has been knocked down, and I have had to move into the main office with Johanna, with our small lounge now being used for any private chats with parents/children. Sofi's office has also now got a big hole in the floor and so she has set up office in the main room! The tortoises have also been displaced and have moved into the gap outside our bedroom window about 2 foot across and runs down the whole side of the house, at least it is a larger area and it doesn't flood so they seem quite happy. 

Our lovely garden 

Meanwhile, the back garden now largely resembles a bomb site, with mountains of rubble, cement and gravel surrounding gaping holes waiting to be filled to create the foundations of the second level. Eventually (2 months according to the builders) we will have a lovely multi-purpose space where the yard is now, with boys/girls toilets for the children, a large library and storeroom and up a spiral staircase 2 new staff bedrooms will sit back on a balcony divided by a staff bathroom. On the upside these builders do seem to be a step up on British builders - they come early, work hard and only stop for occasional drinks of water. However, the also work a 6 day week, arriving at 7am on Saturday mornings grrr!

Feeding Isabella

The early start wasn't too bad this week as us girls were heading off to Barranquilla, a city about 2 hours away by coach, to visit Rita and Franklin, who worked here last year, and meet their new baby Isabella who was born on Jan 26th. It was a long journey on bad, winding roads but it was great to spend some time together and meeting the long awaited Isabella. We were able to spend the afternoon hanging out with Rita, Franklin and Rita's mum and twin sister. Isabella slept for most of the time we where there, only waking for a feed, and as she is bottle-fed I got to feed her :) (well I would wouldn't I!!) 

The trip was slightly ruined by the in bus entertainment on the way home - child's play followed by child's play 2 - the return of Chucky!! I was sat at the front so the TV was right in my face and both films were in English so I couldn't even tune out like I can in Spanish! We got them to change the film after the second one started so that was something at least

Also this week  I have been looking for accommodation for my Mum and Sister when they come to visit in May. We are going to stay in an apartment in the tourist area of this city for a week and then travel to other parts of the coast, so I have been to have a nosey around some luxury apartments, just for fun! as well as more reasonable ones we can actually afford! I have also been online looking at hotels in Santa Marta and the Islands of the coast - bit of tropical paradise :D I'm really looking forward to being able to show them around my beautiful city. If anyone else wants to come and visit you are most welcome.

Until next week

God bless

Petra