Back in England

I had a great couple of final weeks, which unfortunately did not involve going back to Santa Rosa. There was heavy rain for 3 days which meant that nothing could fly into the jungle - so I spent my last few days sending messages to all the different communities and saying my goodbyes that way.

The youth group that I've been helping with celebrated the end of its first year and it was great to end with a party.  It was lovely to have time with people in Shell at the end of my trip, and my despedida (leaving party) on my last night was brilliant.

The baby who we brought out of Washintsa is looking much better, and is responding really well to being shown love and care and attention. The uncle who came with him has gone back to the jungle, and he's being looked after by a lady in Shell. He's been named José, and they are trying to establish what should happen - whether he has now been abandoned - and contacting his mother about whether to find a family for him in Shell.

I had 3 days in Quito before flying home; I stayed with the Harrisons and so had a gentle introduction back to English life!  It was great to have some time to be a tourist - I visited the market town of Otavalo and went with a friend to visit the monument at the equator - holding my own and resisting being dragged symbolically over to the southern hemisphere... 

It's amazing to be back in the UK - very very beautiful with all the different greens and the flowers - and it's a treat and a relief to be back for some hot weather.  I've been enjoying 2 weeks off, and start work again in Cambridge on Monday.