Well yesterday was the start of my placement. We left the house at 0840 and walked the 20mins to our various places. Claire and Jess headed right down the hill to the kindy they attend and I headed straight on to mine. I kept walking and walking but couldnt seem to recognise my building. I eventually decided to double back on myself and start the route again, yep I'd missed the hill on the left I was supposed to take! Having found the kindergarten I stood outside but it seemed really quiet, no children screaming as there had been the week before when I went to view the place. I stood knocking at the door but still no reply. I waited for c. 10 mins, continually knocking to try and get someones attention but nothing. I decided to head back to the house (albeit in a rather bad mood!), when I got back Claire and Jess were there...it was a Bank Holiday so the schools and kindy's were closed! Nice of them to tell us!

Anyway, today I headed back there and officially had my first day! The children all came streaming in (3-5 year olds), I was ushered into the 5 year olds class and promptly introduced as Michelle (they cant pronounce Dawn!). The children all welcomed me in English "Welcome Teacher Michelle" and we went about sitting them down around the litle desks. Katia the teacher in the class is great and although she doesnt speak any English and I dont speak any Spanish (have 1:1 lessons nxt week) we managed to communicate. Katia stood at the front of the class and ordered the children to sit quietly and then, to my surprise, she went and sat at the back of the class and prompted me to take over! Now maybe after a few days I can take some creative stuff in for them to do (Claire from the house has some stuff from her lessons back home) but on my first day??!!!!! Suffice to say, the children were all staring at me and waiting for me to obviously do something entertaining/interesting but on this occasion they were disappointed! I explained in my bestest Spanish/sign language "no teacher" and she promptly came up and saved me! We had such a giggle about it. At 11.30am the children all get out their snacks, and sit munching away...all the teachers head to the office (me included) and we ate biscuits and drank coke. After c. 5 mins ALL the children in the place just appeared to be running riot but no-one left the office...more biscuits were handed round! After 15 mins we headed back into class and did "cutting and pasting", a favourite of the schools/kindy's here! Ours tho was educational and I sat helping them put their bits in the right places. Obviously every class has their little "tinkers"....ours is no exception, we have two! Unsure of their names at the moment but I'm sure I'll get used to them next week!

After class the children all sit in a line with their coats and bags waiting for their parents to come and pick them up, as each of them left it was lovely cos they came up to kiss me goodbye "bye bye teacher" or "bye bye Michelle"....even the trouble makers!

I went in to see Natalie and I've said that I will come in next Monday with an activity for the children to do. She was so pleased and said she was really pleased that I was there helping. So, yep...this time next week I will be officially "Teacher Michelle" !

Tomorrow sees me start the Girls Disabled Orphanage, I think that will be more difficult plus its an early start, I have to be there by 7.30am and I have c. 15-20min combi ride to get there! Sooooo, no Paramonga Gin and Tonic for me tonight...yep, my third week and I've found the local substitute for my Bombay Sapphire! Its a local brew and costs c. 3.50GBP...BARGAIN! Only thing we have to do now is find an alternative to the Canada Dry tonic cos its so expensive c. 1.50GBP! Havent found one yet but we will!!

Have thoroughly enjoyed today, the reason I'm here has at last started...its taken until my 3rd week but thats the way in Peru....no rush, just take your time.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the rain (hear its been p*ssing down). Its still sunny and lovely here, we've had some night time downpours and big thunderstorms but not during the day.

Lots of Love xx