Happy 4th

I had a good time today, doing what I do as a volunteer. And a little American party thrown in.
We visited 3 people this afternoon (me and Elena, my Spanish collegue). The first didn't remember the people we were with that he saw yesterday. The second lives in an apartment without electricity. The third can hardly walk. All three smiled, laughed, and were thrilled to have a visitor. I could tell that the spirit of the visit hit Elena - I have the feeling that they came to party, but I know that after today, she will take the work seriously.

We did these three visits with two older women that I like a lot. O,"ne is kind of crazy, the other quick witted. One wanted to tell us all about Marseille in "her day" while the other handed out come backs. One of them got upset at a pedestrian who cut them off and started shouting insults, so the other said, "and what happens if they can run faster than us, huh? Zen!" I love these ladies that I get to meet and hang out with.

Then for the 4th, John made hamburgers, I made a red white and blue jello salad, and we had Nouria and Magda and the elders over. The four American men sang hymns of patritism. Lastly, the perfect activity to celebrate our nation's independence was to chat with my Dad in Afghanistan who is currently helping us keep ours. Thanks Dad.