Allergic to camels?

Today is Wednesday and was supposed to be the hottest day of the heat wave, but this morning was not so bad. The shade from all of the trees at the orphanage provided a coolness, as well as the breeze we had from the overnight rain.
So everyone who was sick is now feeling better, each of us are still a bit achy but we can't determine if that is from the seven hour tour in Fes or being sick. That is the good news, the bad news is that we have spread the bug to four other people in the house, which only proves the theory of a bug. They have the same symptoms as the same amount of time passes.
So yesterday at the Orphanage it was only Chelsea and I who went because Margie was still recovering. We did our usual of feeding the newborns, changing their sheets, as well as their clothes. I would suggest any future mom to volunteer at an orhpanage- I am now a pro at changing diapers and feeding bottles at the speed of light, not to mention that it is 30 kids and not one or two. I am still very fragile with the newborns and premature babies, I just cant seem to get the hang of changing them fast. Their frail, skinny arms and legs are so hard to get through the sleeves of their outfits, I feel like with a little pressure they'll just break. Maybe with more practice it will be easier. Who ever invented overalls for babies was obviously just going for looks rather than convenience, I'll tell ya, I can't stand the things. I find myself talking to the babies like a lunatic. "Here, yeah i know this is awful. Who invented this things anyway?? Sorry I am smushing your head I just cant get these things.... " and so on. Their expressions always seem like they understand, and if they do, they are probably just thinking, "This woman is insane talking to me- I'm a baby."
After the babies fell asleep, which is surprisingly fast after a bottle, i headed to the toddlers room to change the beds their. Once that was finished I followed Michelle outside. I was curious to how her day was. We got to play with all of the disabled children and teenagers. I actually had a lot more fun than i thought i would. The only thing i can express to those nurses is complete amazement and respect. It was so hard to keep my cool at times and also to convey my meanings to the kids. Most of them are such sweethearts, but of course there are some who get angry and bite or hit the other smaller kids. The one boy looked about thirteen was playing in the trampoline and kept stopping to ask me for a kiss, or would kiss my hands. I found another watching all of the kids off to the side and decided to sit with him. He spoke French and Arabic, which most of the kids can't. He's lucky because the nurses speak French, so he secretly knows everything going on. He asked me name and laughed at me trying to speak french.
The only hard thing was standing outside the trampoline making sure the kids took turns... I suppose i am not someone they take seriously, most of the girls said it is because I am too nice. But when they would try and surreptitiously get in, i would say, "La! La!" which means no. Every kid, one in particular, would look at me, point, and then erupt in laughter, continuing in the direction they were going. I would glance around for help and as soon as Jacob says "La" they freeze and stop. Maybe i should say it more manly like...
One little girl tricked me. She was adorable so i let her look at my watch, she snatched it and took off like a dart. Let me tell you, she was a fast runner, laughing the whole way.
There are two girls there also, I am not sure of their age maybe a little younger than myself. The one is extremely violent, she hits and bites the other children when she doesn't get her way, so watching her play in the trampoline with the other kids gave me minor heart attacks continually.
The other girl i found out her name is Sara. She is deaf as well as challenged, but seems fully aware of all that is around her. She has touched my heart. She just looks after all of the other children and notices things most people don't. She stand up for all of the little ones and takes care of them for the most of the time. She kept smiling at me the whole time.
Today it was pretty much the same schedule and I enjoyed myself so much outside, i took the little 2 year olds out with everyone. They went to the playground and the little girl i was with would not leave my side. So i took her over to the trampoline where my newly found friends were. I found the same boy who remembered my name, and told me in French there was a carnival this Sunday at the Orphanage and he was so excited. All of the kids got so happy to see a familiar face and gave me lots of kisses. Even a boy in a wheel chair i didn't think noticed me, or was aware enough to know things, beckoned me over for a kiss. Once you get to know and play with these people, you would forget all about their disabilities and it is just pure fun.
I found Sara again and this time she sat with me. She tried to sign questions to me as I did my best to answer her. We shared a great conversation and all she wanted make sure was that I would be coming back tomorrow. And I will. I can already tell how hard it will be to say goodbye to the kids there.
The little girl i was with wanted to walk, but when she didnt get her way, would pinch my neck as hard as she could, another child who thought i was hysterical when i said no. But there was no staying mad at her, she was too cute. I kept talking to her like she could actually understand English and she was an adult, rather than a two/three year old. She wanted to go inside mostly, and I would say no. If the scene between us was on TV Im sure it would be very funny to watch. The looks she gave me made it hard to be stern. We just kept snapping at eachother, then embracing in hugs. She had trouble walking at times, I'm not sure if it was her back or her legs themselves, but she was afraid of stairs and always got carried. So i took her to the side of the building where there are five steps. At first she begged for me to pick her up and help her down, but i knew this was because she was used to being helped. So i said no, and held her hand. She wsa shaky but made it down. I yelled and clapped and she was so happy at the giant step she just took and wanted to go up and down on her own. The shakiness faded and confidence grew. I kept clapping and she kept laughing with joy at what she was doing, even when we got back in the building to go upstairs, she was no longer afraid, she walked by herself, holding my hand just incase, a huge smile plastered on her face.
So today was a lot of fun as well. Sitting outside was very refreshing and seeing those children really opens your eyes. If you think about it thoroughly you would cry, but you just try not to. They all seem so happy and just want attention.
I held Zizu for awhile today and just cuddled with him before we left, too bad you have to be Muslim to adopt those children, otherwise he'd be in my suitcase going home!! (just kidding dad don't you worry ;)
So this weekend we are going to leave friday for a hotel, and when we wake up saturday morning head for the Sahara. Once we get there we are going to ride camels to the Desert and sleep there that night, coming home on Sunday. Then two more weeks to go! I have noticed that I am allergic to goats and horses at zoos and such... lets hope not camels too!
I will let you know all about it then! Lots of detail in this entry, sorry if it rambled on perpetually in spots.
Also something great about last night... the mac and cheese they made for dinner. Holy crow, baked mac and cheese. Everyone loved it, i hope that is a popular thing they make here ;)
-Lacey