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Further Afield...

A Photographic Memoir

By Garrick & Simone ...

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Well as some of you may or may not know, Garrick and I are expecting our first baby in early April and have now left Peru and are staying in NZ with Garricks parents until the 18th of Jan.  So this is just a quick post to say, see many of you very soon and thanks for sharing the Peru and South America adventure with us the last few years. 

For anyone interested, Garrick has made a book of our time in Peru and its available to preview and purchase online at www.blurb.com - you may have to search for the title of the book, it's called Further Afield: 30 Months in South America.

This week Garrick and I took what was our last holiday in Peru, we went to a town called Arequipa for 5 days, otherwise known as the white city.  While we were there, we saw a protest on the main square - it got quite heated, with the effagy being set on fire!  Arequipenans are apparently quite well known for their passion.  Aside from that excitement, Garrick went on a motorcyle tour on one day while I had my hair done and had a massage.  It was so relaxing, with great old architecture, friendly people and a hotel with beautiful gardens - oh and sunshine every day!  Enjoy the pics - my husband is so talented!

We are back from Italy now, and I have over 4000 photos to sort through.  I am arranging them for a book, but here are a few shots for the meantime.

In a few hours we leave for 3 weeks in Italy, travelling to Rome, Florence, throughout rural Tuscany, Naples, Amalfi Coast and the mountains east of Rome.  Its a bit of a second honeymoon, we've decided, just for the hang of it.  Why not?  I may post intermittent posts throughout travels, but be sure to be inundated with photos when we get back.  Until then, ciao.

We have been married 4 years today and I just want to say a few words about the man of my dreams!  When I first met Garrick I thought there was no way he would like me - he was so cool, popular and confident.  But like me, he did, and after only two dates we knew we it was a lifetime relationship we were developing. I still find it amazing every day when I look at him to think that he is my husband - I am the most blessed woman in the world! 

My man is... caring, sensitive, a great listener, a fabulous cook, my best friend, an excellent spanglish speaker, a talented musician, intelligent, deep thinking, a trusted confidante and most of all - a gift from God that I am thankful for every day.  I love you honey and I pray we have many, many more years as rich and eventful as these past 4 have been.

Happy Anniversary.

Our friends Taylor and Chana were married on Friday night.  So we had our first official Peruvian wedding, although with a difference.  Most weddings aren't officiated by the Mayor of Lima, and normally the First Lady of Peru is not on the guest list (ok, I'm name dropping), neither do they have a 30-odd piece orchestra.  Most weddings are not usually outside on a winters night, because outside is the only place they can house all the people who show up after the engaged couple offer an open invitation to several thousand people at their church.  And it was a fantastic night, Chana looked beautiful and Taylor was too!  Was a great night for romance, and it was also a great family moment for these guys as Taylors Dad, the Pastor of the church, did the ceremony.  Here are a few photos.  The photography conditions were challenging - outside at night with lots of people's head in the way, but here is what I could pick off with my new zoom lens.  A number of our friends were in the wedding party, so they get photos too!  And of course, my wife, who looked stunning.

Simone here. 

Last week I was in the Amazon.  The high Amazon, but still, the jungle that is so famous all around the world.  I didn't spend much time trekking through jungle or seeing weird animals but I did have one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.  Words cannot capture the emotions I roller-coasted through last week, nor can I even begin to describe the mandate God has put on my heart.  I went to stay in Yurimaguas for a week to help teach English.  There is a missionary named Susan Holowecky who is doing amazing things for God in the town and I went to help out.  I didn't think I would be the one to come away missing a piece of my heart!  Susan started and helps run an hogar materno - a home for mothers and malnourished or very sick babies.  There were some mothers and their babies there, they stay until the children are well and nourished again.  There are also some children who live there either permanently or practically permanently, as their parents are either unable or unwilling to care for them.  They have workers who cook, get the kids dressed and help in the general running of things and then there is Joly - she is basically the mum to many of these kids, some of them she nursed back from near death and she is only a little older than me! 

The photos below are in order of general around town photos, some feature Joly and all of the kids in the hogar and then there are some shots of the jungle.  Susan is starting a farm out in the jungle to show a native tribe that she works with (the Chayahuita tribe) how to farm, look after cattle and grow varied crops - there is a photo of a Chayahuita lady in the general photos.  I was taken out there to have a look, the picture of the blue truck with the plank was our sweet ride - I couldn't feel various extremities within about 5 minutes of being on the "road" out to the farm.  The town of Yurimaguas was bigger than I thought it would be - no supermarkets though, you buy it all at the local markets and there is also no such thing as hot water!  So short showers, rides filled with laughter (the plank of wood kept falling off every time we went over a big bump) and colourful trips to the market were what interspersed my week.

I have to say though, the kids in the hogar are most of all what captured me - they have the sweetest spirits and are so hungry for love - I wasn't left alone for 3 minutes without someone wanting to sit on my knee, do my hair, cuddle, play, practice English or sing a song.  Those of you who know me well know that I was in my element.  I have left with a sense of urgency, to try and help a little more and appreciate the opportunities God gives me.  Hope you enjoy the photos.

General Yurimaguas Photos

The Children

The Farm and the Jungle

so now that i'm semi-retired for the next few months or so, its time to write a book, or at least put my photos into a book and put words around them.  this is how i'm doing it.  i'm excited.     www.blurb.com

looking forward to this one, due first of july 2008.