Hola everyone!

Just a quick update to say I've arrived safe and sound to Satipo. The bus ride went almost too well and I had breakfast at Melissa's house (the secretary). Her 5-year-old had a blast playing with dolls with me and couldn't understand I had to leave so soon - "No te vayas!" she yelled when Esperazna came to pick me up.

We drove about two hours from San Ramon to Satipo. The road was very good and reminded me slightly of the very swirley roads in the mountain side in Norway. Except here there is no snow and ice caps but a bursting green mountain side with banana, mango and cocoa trees.

Esperanza has got me a hotel room for the night, but I will probably go to another place that Esperanza has set up for me tomorrow - so I don't have to pay! That's why I'm writing now to let you know I am fine, because I don't know when I can get on the internet again.

Tomorrow AJEDMA (Esperanza's NGO) and I are going to look for food and clothes to donate to the villages that have been destroyed by the very heavy rain fall this year. Later we are going to the Río Negro, to see one of these villages. As far as I've understood we have to go by boat because everything is under water. I don't really know what to expect but it sure sounds as if I'm going to get some new experiences.

I'm very grateful to be able to help Esperanza with her work. At the moment I am reading "The art of Happiness" by Howard C. Cutler, about the Dalai Lama, and I hope to come to understand that true happiness comes from kindlyness and helping others. The next chapter is called "Lonelyness and fellowship." Apparently the Dalai Lama never gets lonely and I can't wait to figure out how!

The school in Mazamari starts next Monday but I don't know when I can go there. There are rooms for teachers, but I'm probably going to hang out with Esperanza here in Satipo for awhile. Tonight we are phoning the Mother Superior to find out when I can come, and when the 'teacher's reunion' is. I'm looking forward to getting a sort of daily routine at the school and coming to see Esperanza in the weekends.

Turned out not to be such a short message afterall! All in all I'm happy and safe and geared with energy to see lots of new people and plants!

Thanks to everyone who is sending me mails to say hey, it makes me feel closer to home when I have contact to friends and family!

P.s it hasn't rained at all today, but I think I've just been lucky..

Lots of love and kisses

Jessica