Time seems to be flying as today marks the end of my 4th week. And what a week of fun, activity and contrasts. The photography project really grew some legs. We photographed just over 200 children, which means just over 800 photos were taken. Some kids love being in front of the camera, some don't and then there are all the ones in between. It probably doesn't help being photographed by a complete stranger who doesn't speak your native language and manages to mangle words as he tries desperately to communicate. Thank goodness for my able helper Mckayli. Somehow she gets the kids to understand what they need to do. A lot happened on the tour front this week and as a result the next 2 weekends are going to be busy. A tour of local villages where women are given micro loans to establish businesses on Saturday and then a 5 hour hike in the mountains on Sunday. And next weekend another hike in the Sierra Norte mountain area. My 3 young American friends (they know who they are) are all leaving at the end of week so a week of farewell dinners had been planned. These included pizzas, eating wafers soaking in liquid nitrogen and laughing as gas wafted from our mouths and nostrils, cold beers on roof top bars, great Mexican food and drinking pulque and mezcal. Oh, and playing cards when I remembered to bring them. Pulque is alcohol made from the fermented sap of the maguey (agave) plant and is very traditional in this part of Mexico. Its drinkable but not something I need to rush back for. I'm going to miss these 3 young people. Great fun, a thirst for new experiences and a strong social conscience. Hopefully there is a lot more of their type in the world. I also managed to book some accommodation in Puerto Escondido which is where I am heading when my time in Oaxaca is over. It's a beach town on the west coast and the perfect place to kick back and relax. Now I just need to book a bus ticket to get there. It's a 10 hour overnight trip. The longer I live here the more comfortable I feel. Oaxaca is a lovely laid back place. No rush, no stress, very friendly and an overload of culture whether it be music, dance, arts and crafts, architecture and even artesanal beer which seems to be a huge growth product here. If only I had a better grasp of the language. Guess I need to make the most of the next 2 weeks!!