Los abuelitos

Hola y Pura Vida a Todos!!!!
Sitting here in a circle in the home base and staring at the faces surrounding me I feel as though I am looking into the eyes of friends that I have known from my childhood--or rather family. As corny or cliche as that sounds I PROMISE you it is true. In the course of the past few hours we have salsa danced in the hallway together and then moments later were holding each other through tears.
As you may or may not know we were divided into two groups today and both went to begin our service at nursing homes. When we discovered that we were going to be working with the elderly we were all a little intimidated and worried about the idea. My group (this is Laura Pritchard BTW) worked at a center where half of the elderly lived full time and half stayed there only for the day. First thing we did was to do some gardening. There was a patch of weeds that was their garden and the farm girl came out in me (Dad you should be proud). We all went to work with shovels and rakes and ABSURDLY large pick axes---Ashwin reminded me of one of the SEVEN DWARFS-- but I regress. We tore out a ton of weeds and then turned over the dirt. We all had a huge sense of accomplishment when an hour later a pacth of tilled soil ready for planting stood where there was once just a huge patch of weeds. Not to mention the smell of Mint and cilantro hung in the air and was absolutly intoxicating.
Later we went and worked with los abuelitos (the elderly). We played a game with them in the beginning and then were sent off to go and mingle with los abuelitos AHHHHHHHHHHH---- scary THAT MENT WE HAD TO USE SPANISH!!!!!!!!!! Regardless of how well we were able to communicate no one could deny how greatful they were to have us around just for the sheer company. Many of the people who were there had been abandoned by their families which broke out hearts. One group of women took a certain liking to Ashwin when they discovered that he did not have a girlfriend--- they pretty much decided that the reason for this was becuase he was not able to dance--- therefore it was decided that tomorrow los abueltios are going to teach us how to dance tomorrow---- little do they know that we were practicing dancing tonight to show off tomorrow!!!!!!! -- hopefully
There was another placement ---- more details to come later
PURA VIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA