Open arms

A week ago, a couple delightful guests were leaving Zina's Guest House. They are working on Isla Mujeres with Cristina Salas, Dr. Salas's wife, in HIV and pregnancy prevention instruction with Isla Mujeres' youth.
Anna Douglas, left, the director of PEACE-Isla Mujeres, had placed Kody and Lena here guest house for a week out of their two month mission on Isla Mujeres.
Next to Anna is Dr. Carlos Cabrera, the director of Abrazos Abiertos, Open Arms, from HIV Yucatan, Kody Dobeck and Lena Noecker, teaching interns and me, at a reception Jan. 22 at Casa Sirena.
The misson: "An educational program designed to reduce the spread of HIV infection and teenage pregnancy in Isla Mujeres by utilizing a peer on peer education program (TEAM Isla), where local youth will have an opportunity to gather together to learn facts about HIV prevention, pregnancy prevention and other sexual health topics in a safe, honest and caring environment. Under the supervision of PEACE Isla Mujeres, two experienced Instructors/Interns from Brazos Abiert (see http://www.hivyucatan.org/en/)will lead the youth groups."
Lena and Kody stayed up late with their lesson plans and left the apartment in the mornings armed with carrots and condoms, heading for the secondary school.
Their youthful looks are on their side in gaining the confidence of Isla Mujeres youth, vulnerable to teen age pregrancy and HIV because of ignorance and custom. Thanks for your work Abrazos Abiertos! And PEACE!

A day in the sun

Today is my day in the sun, even if it's party cloudy! Sergio's weekly maintenance of the roof top patio of Zina's Guest House has paid off!
The plants are lush. In the northwest corner, he's added a little shade roof with curtains. For night time, there is a cloth shaded lamp. The picture below at dawn gives y0u an idea.
So after putting on a pot of salmon chowder, I am up and out of here. Up to the roof top!

Acting out

Boca has taken my illness out on her "Brother." They had a nice relationship in which she would depants him and chew his tail. Now this.
She has not been able to get much attention from me in my misery. So, like any kid in the same boat, she acted out. Now there is no brother.
I am still not with it. In cleaning the table top today, I discovered I had not taken the third dose of the original Z Pack. So, I'll take it tomorrow.
I have been moving slowly today. I made a quick meatloaf. It tastes good and will store well. Later today, I will start a Crock Pot yogurt. I have decided to add an envelope of Knox gelatin to the warm milk as I mix in yogurt to get it started. That should resolve the separation of milkd solids and water.
I'm going to need that yogurt after all this misdosing and prolonged dosing with antibiotics. And Boca, she's done acting out now that I am up and coughing.
Carmen told me to make a tea strongly reinforced with crushed garlic, cinnamon and honey and lime. Seems very expectorant. That cough so disturbs Boca!