the stand-by us-ers with Lisa's Dad
and we even get to ride some back at the resort
theres horses, not to mention loads of natural landmines everywhere
The day followed by a visit to the brastagi market
Peili presenting a token of appreciation to Lisa's Dad for the trip
nice early morning walk
Day6, the highland in the Morning
and there's gifts for everybody!
and there's cake for everyone!
we celebrated Ann's early birthday with an opening by the rotary president
don't you take my sotong balls! (repeat in indian accent)
and Ning's speciality chocolate fondue
there Charcoal and Diesel grills!!
the light rain didn't drench our BBQ one bit
where we had a overnight fellowship BBQ!
The night was spent at the brastagi highland resort
We were brought around the orphanage farms with vegatable farms, pigs and rabbits!
And balloons come standard!
They work, farm for a living and to keep the orphanage operations alive
There we get to interact with the orphans/single parent (all very low income)
The pastor of the orphanage
The kids are a happy bunch
Our task for the day is at the highland catholic orphanage
Day5, Bus trip up to Brastagi Highlands
There, we tried the local steam/roasted corn delicacy
it's almost like genting, foggy and cloudy but not too cold either
up to Brastagi Highlands!
Day5, Bus trip...
Dinner that night was at our very hospitable rotary president's home again
& see how big their fruits are!
before heading to the local supermarket to purchase our BBQ items for Day5
lunch was at Lisa's favorite Nasi Ayam Store
some stories from the patients can be rather sad too
The patients are all locked up in long houses, while the ones deemed normal are allowed to roam the area
There Dr wilson gave us a tour and practises the hospital has in treating and handling mental patients.
Day4, Visit to the Government Mental Hospital
followed by a visit to the medan wildlife museum before calling day 3 in close
we had a rewarding meal at the end of the long day...
but the rewards at the end are priceless...
encountering years of dust, lizard waste, dried urine, all packaged with a trademark smell...
it's tedious cleaning up a very run down place
while the rest of us went about sweeping, wiping and mopping the premises
including the washing of their feets...
their basic grooming are cared for
besides entertaining them in the common area
including the elders themselves!
our job there is to give the whole place a clean
it's a free old folks home, run purely on donations
Day3, old folks home visit in the rural areas
a memorable night!