Hot in the City

I can barely bring myself to do anything today. It's so hot that it hurts to move. I don't get it - this time last week, I was wrapped up in my snowboarding jacket, gloves and hat. Today I just want to be lying in a very cold pool sipping cold juice. Or maybe an iced Dr Lemon.

Last night was totally uneventful - we were thinking of all going to the cinema, but as usual it fell to me to find out times, and I had to phone the cinema. I didn't fully understand what the woman said, which was just as well as I have since found out that the film we wanted to see isn't actually on. I must have heard her say something else. In the end we all ended up having a night off and I fell asleep really early. I woke up really early too because of the heat, but then the fan kept me awake, so I turned it off and stayed hot - and awake. I still feel like I have had no rest at all.

I managed to drag myself into work, but it was unbearable, even inside. I spent most of the morning with Mile, which was nice as she is starting to walk. It's a real shame she doesn't have a mum around to see her growing. Jenny and I had a lovely picnic in the park again. The park is called Plaza de las Malvinas and there is a sign with a big picture of the Falklands coloured in with the Argentine flag. People do keep wanting to discuss the Falklands with us, but I think it's best avoided and pretend that Scotland had nothing to do with it. It usually works.

Refugio was a bit better today, but I couldn't believe it when I saw the broken bench is in fact back and worse than ever (rusty nails sticking out all over the place) and has been joined by 2 others. The kids were doing clay modelling with German, an 18 year old who volunteers there every Tuesday. Of course, the modelling descended into rioting and the clay got thrown everywhere. German went around trying to pick it up and I commented that he was very brave to try doing stuff like that with them as it is bound to end in chaos. He agreed, but said he knew exactly what would happen. We ended up having a long and interesting conversation (in Spanish, ¡desde luego!) about the problems there are in the home and what he thinks are the causes. I'm not about to risk libel by repeating here what he said, but it was a very interesting insight into why things are the way they are.

Later on, Stefania, the girl who allegedly threw the puppy, appeared. I was so annoyed with her that I didn't kon what to do, but eventually I asked her what had happened with the pup. She pretended she didn't understand me, then later claimed that one of the other children had thrown it. Later still, I took her to one side and asked her if she knew how we should treat animals. She replied that we should care for them. I said to her that dogs can't fly and she shouldn't make them. I asked her if she understood and if she would remember that, and she said she would. I felt a little bit better about the situation, as she seemed to be sorry, but I suppose that's just a drop in the ocean. Bullying in the Refugio is probably endemic, with everyone able to find someone weaker than themselves to pick on - even if the person themselves is tiny and they pick on a dog.

Nothing much else of note happened today, unless you count my trip to the laundrette. I am so hot and tired and want a shower and a sleep! There is some talk of going bowling tonight - at least it will be airconditioned in there.

Tomorrow!