Had a great chance this week to spread a little turtle warmth. Jon and I met a family from New Jersey, America. They had a little girl who had some sort of disorder; her parents called it selective mutism (!!?). Seems like she will only speak to some people and had developed a strong empathy with animals and had rejected most humans. We were able to show her some baby turtles emerging from the nest enclosure and she handled the babies and helped to release them into the sea. On one night of their holiday, some of the volunteers came across the family on the beach in the middle of the night. They were watching a turtle laying eggs and the girls let them catch some as they were being laid. This is quite a powerful experience for anyone, but this little girl was completely awestruck. It was so lovely to give her an experience that she will carry with her, and hopefully will give her something to talk about when she goes back to school.
In the meantime, Jon and I are still battling with our tent life. Last night we heard a crab trying to get in and when we switched on our torches found a small scorpion hanging precariously onto the tent flap. Jon bravely swiped it with a croc (the shoe not the animal) and it promptly disappeared somewhere under the tent. Needless to say we have been stepping around the area a bit gingerly since then. Today we have taken a bus into El Tuito and I bought a hammock. It could be I will sleep in there in future, it might be safer.
Maggi, Gill and Lucinda: thanks a bunch for celebrating my birthday! hope you didn't get indigestion laughing at my misfortunes.
Hi Cuz,
ReplyDeleteThe kids & I are loving your blog and it is absolutely inspiring to hear what you guys are getting done. I can relate to the bug issue having spent a lot of time in Mozambique diving. The turtle population is well protected on their coast with areas Cordoned off and huge fines imposed for stealing eggs or driving on the beach. Give our best to Jon and keep up the fantastic work.
Lots of Love G