Viva la Vida was Frida Kahlo's final painting before she passed away.  At the Frida Kahlo museum, which is located in the Blue House where Kahlo both grew up and died,  I learned that the writing displayed on the watermelon was a last minute addendum in the days before her death.  "Viva la vida" translates to something like "long live life!", a statement full of boldness that inspired me throughout my final week here.  Unfortunately, I subsequently learned that Chris Martin of Coldplay also found this painting inspiring and wrote a whole song about it.  I guess Chris Martin and I have a similar disposition?  Perish the thought.

My final week here has been the culmination of the Make_sense x Las Sabina's project I have been working on.  Libby Luchadore, my puppet, was finished at the start of the week.  She is imperfect and charming and I love her.  

Afterwards, I moved on to help with the stage we were building for the puppets.  I spent many hours with my team lying on cold vinyl floor, covered in paint, with a headache from concentrating so hard.  We had to put in extra hours on the weekends and evenings in order to complete the project in time.  What kept us motivated was the reminder that we were creating resources that an organisation that we care so deeply about will have moving forward after we leave.  I also really wanted to represent the Periphery community that I had the privilege of witnessing in my trip to Ecatapec with the Sabinas.  I am really proud of the work I managed to complete, and also shout out to Frankie Lowney my talented friend who drew us a template for the Las Sabinas Logo!

Our goodbye to the Sabinas was so emotional.  They handpainted and drew cards for us all and gave us each a personalised present.  I am so greatful to have met them, they are incredible people.