The bus just drove straight past me this morning. He was overtaking a lorry and dont think he could then stop so just passed on by. I managed to flag a cab and still got to the project before everyone else except it cost me 1 pound seventy five instead of 25p. The cab driver was so impressed that I was working at the refuge he refused to take a tip. A first.

Chickenpox is rife now and there are more children ill than not. I didnt go to the park this morning as most were unable to go, staying behind instead to give piggybacks to those who wanted them and giving hugs to those feeling unwell. I hope Im immune as they were climbing all over me. Cant remember whether Ive had it or not.

A lot of the kids were subdued except for Walter who was his usual destructive self destroying everything in his path, throwing things over the wall and pulling anyones hair he could get hold of, all with a smile on his face. While I wouldnt wish his condition on anyone there is an innocence about Walter that you have to admire, a complete lack of understanding of normal social convention that allows him to do anything he wants, whenever he wants without really understanding the consequences. He gets hit the most though by the other children but carries on regardless without adjusting his behaviour in the slightest. A real rebel without intending to be one

I took my camera in today and the children were quite respectful and fascinated with it. I allowed them to take some photos and some of them are quite good. Will bring it in next week as well. As there will only be 3 volunteers next week we might have to work harder to keep them occupied.

The children seem to be fed quite well and get meat and pasta for lunch, the kitchen is quite basic though and I think the staff who do the meals work quite hard with basic equipment. The children say a sort of prayer I think before they have lunch and then we volunteers say goodbye for the day otherwise they tend to play up if we continue to be there.

Yesterday evening all the volunteers went to a Paraguayan market, basically a large corrugated iron warehouse full of cheap tat. Plenty of cheap clothes but I didnt buy anything. Then we went and had drink in one of the bars along the river front overlooking Paraguay, however I couldnt stay long as I had to be back at my 'digs' at 8 for my dinner. I get fed quite well, three courses every night, all homemade food. I dont know how hot it got yesterday but it was 39C in the main square at 5.30pm.

My plans for the weekend have changed and Im going to Iguazu Falls the following weekend now. This weekend I havent finalised plans yet but will likely travel out of the city for at least 1 night.

Im going to book my flight to Buenos Aires this afternoon for 19th Feb and then I will have more time to relax in this most beautiful city. The thing Im most looking forward to in BA is having a bath, so Ive booked a decent hotel to do so. Ive had lots of showers, twice a day, but really miss a bath. You get so dirty in the orphanage that I feel dirty a lot of the time but Ive started to bring a change of clothes with me now when I leave in the morning so I can change at lunchtime when Im back in the city. I got a bit fed up of walking around like a tramp.