DAY 6: WHEELS & WORDS UNSPOKEN

HEY GANG! It’s Eavan and Desiree. Today was a bit of a transition day, as was yesterday, but it was still buckets of fun. We started with the usual, 7:00 AM wake-ups, and a downright DELICIOUS breakfast. Who knew hotel pancakes could be so mouth-watering? After eating, we rescued Skylar’s earring from its watery grave (the bottom of the pool) and mosyed on over to the party bus AYYYY! I’m just joking, guys, it was the same little tuk-tuk from yesterday. So intimate. Most of us slept on the way back from Casa Amor, but those who didn’t enjoy a thrilling conversation consisting mostly of gassing up Ronaldo at Zach’s expense. Once we arrived back at the freshly cleaned villa, some people showered, some played go-fish, and most stretched their legs after the long journey. Lunch was short, as soon after we clambered back into our cozy coach bus and hit the road again! Not for long, though, as the school for deaf children we were scheduled to visit was only 10 minutes away. Founded by catholic priests in the 60s, Escuela de Sordos Mudos is the only school accommodating children with hearing disabilities in the region. Listening to the principal speak was awe-inspiring, and we were all absolutely LOCKED IN during the sign language lesson!! Some glimpsers, such as Mary, were extremely HANDS-ON during the sign lesson (get it? haha). She did a good job explaining the difference between Spanish and English sign language to everyone with her expertise. We then took a photo with the lovely principal while SOME of us signed the first initial of our names (and some fumbled, such as I).

We entered the blue bus for the third time today to make a long-anticipated second trip to the grocery store. Many snacks and cold drinks were procured; some of us desperately needed a caffeine restock after a long day. For the fourth and final trip to the bus, our energy had suddenly rejuvenated, and we had a bountiful and engaging conversation where many of us grew closer as we learned that we weren’t so different. Stepping off the bus led us into a new sequence, which involved planning out how we would design and go about our capstone project to dig and build tubes to lay down and connect to 40 homes! According to the community president, that is around 200 people that we’d be helping have access to water (woohoo)! Lucas took over despite NOT being the Leader of the Day yet and made a whole presentation on how we would do things with endearing effort and thoughtfulness, to which everyone agreed. Following that, we crowned the new Leaders of the Day who will help us with the first day of our cap project, Brekti, Skylar, and Athai!! Wish them luck because I know, as Ronaldo says, “it’s gonna get crazy.” And it will indeed get crazy, but our desire to help those in need and our teamwork outshines any obstacles that may arise. Brekti showed us her awesome-pawsome talent of saying “hello, how are you?” in SIX different languages. Athai showed us some amazing magic tricks that left us hungry for her secrets. Skylar did a totally tubular cartwheel into a split, which left our eyes sparkling with joy. After that, we did big love and let our fellow glimpsers know how much we care (aweee).

P.S

Please feed the cats, mom. -Desiree

P.P.S

Please pick up my painting from the framer if you havent already, ma. Give Charm lots of love from me, dad! Love you both, see y’all in four dias!! -Eavan

Sorrows, sorrows, prayers,

Eavan & Desiree