While in Santa Cruz for the best/hardest day of my life, I was able to stay with Dr. Carmiña's family in their lovely home. I am expecting some reverse culture shock when I get back to the States but I wasn't expecting it to occur before I touched down in the good ol' USA. I'll be honest, it made me nervous.
My first clue that I may not be prepared to re-enter my old life (ten days from now!) was when Dr. Carmiña asked me to please fasten my seat belt when I got into her car. Whoops. I've only worn a seat belt twice in the last three months -and both times were in a airplane, not in a car. I wouldn't have even done it then if the flight attendant hadn't blasted it over the intercom. The vehicles that I ride in regularly don't even have seat belts.
Dr. Carmiña then apologized that the air-conditioning wasn't working very well. I almost laughed out loud because I was thinking about how I'd forgotten that cars even have air-conditioning and what a glorious invention it is. Seriously folks, there is cold air that blows and it keeps you refreshed even when it's freaking hot outside. How wonderful is that?
When I entered la doctora's home, I was only more impressed. "There's a flat screen TV and a computer with internet and leather couches and HOLY SMOKES, is that microwave? This house is amazing! This house is like...my parents' house...and...it's like MY house." It was such a weird moment. Seriously, I was genuinely excited to use a microwave. A microwave. Who knows what my reaction will be to other household appliances...like a TOASTER :)
I recently read article on how to give your fridge a makeover. I was thinking it would be about how to keep your fridge clean but nope, it was actually about how to keep your fridge pretty, literally pretty. Things like use labeled french canning jars to store leftovers in, buy products with pretty packaging, wrap cheese and meat in butcher paper and tie with twine, put a vase of flowers in the fridge...have I just been in South America too long or is this ridiculous? If people's priorities are to put petunias in their fridges, not sure that this is the culture with which I want to identify.
Plus, there are mangoes here.
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Dia de Gracias
Well, I don't think I will be having the traditional Thanksgiving dinner here in Bolivia. I first realized this when Helen (my American housemate) and I went to the market to buy pumpkins for our pumpkin pie and came back with acorn squash. But don't pity me too much, my Mom is a gem and Thanksgiving part dos will take place when I get back to the States.
Traditionally, my family always goes around the table before we eat our Thanksgiving feast to say what we're thankful for. If I was going to be there tomorrow, I'd probably mention some of these things for which I have a thankful heart!
1) I'm not scared of bugs. I pick the ants out of the sugar jar without flinching every morning and actually have to remind myself that the spiders here might be dangerous so I should be a little afraid of them. Even the lizard in my bedroom barely raised my blood pressure.
2) I got to go on an amazing trip to Peru, see my dream of dreams, and experience a little more of South America. And I didn't get raped or robbed! Success.
3) My boyfriend emails me. Every. Single. Night. Sometimes, he writes a lot, sometimes a little but there's always an email. You rock, Joey Kelly!
4) I've gotten to hold so many BABIES. Almost every time I go out to el campo there's a little one to love.
5) Skype. I love Skype. And it's free. It's a free, good thing. I'm writing a thank you letter to whoever invented Skype when I get back to the States. (Anybody have his/her address?) :)
6) I am here during the peak of the mango season. I know I've mentioned my undying devotion to them before but my housemates told me that -no joke- I'm starting to smell like them. They are leaking out of my pores. I haven't turned orange yet but I'll keep you updated.
7) Montero is a pretty safe town to explore. I walk around by myself all the time without problems and this gives me a freedom that I'd go crazy without.
8) The fan in my bedroom. My room would be a hotter oven without it.
9) I've only gotten sick a handful of times and never for more than a day. I might owe my body a thank you letter when I get back too.
10) Mirna, our secretary is such a great friend. And her 2 year old son finally likes me! There may have been some bribery with cookies involved in that one, he's a timid little guy!
11) Disney movies in Spanish. So great!
12) The weather here is beautiful. I'm worried that I will freeze to death when I head back to Washington.
13) The street food here is so amazing! If you can get over the sketchy-ness of it, it's some of the tastiest food ever! Last night, some friends and I sat at a woman's cart, where she had raw chicken in gallon buckets that she was frying up with yucca (that weird potato thing) and veggies. A plate was less than the American dollar!
14) Jesus isn't just in America. Amen? Amen.
15) Tomorrow, I get to tour the prenatal care/birthing center at the hospital in Santa Cruz! I am so excited that this opportunity fell into my lap as I've always been passionate about maternal/child health. It's not how I'd usually spend Thanksgiving but one I'm sure that I won't forget :)
Traditionally, my family always goes around the table before we eat our Thanksgiving feast to say what we're thankful for. If I was going to be there tomorrow, I'd probably mention some of these things for which I have a thankful heart!
1) I'm not scared of bugs. I pick the ants out of the sugar jar without flinching every morning and actually have to remind myself that the spiders here might be dangerous so I should be a little afraid of them. Even the lizard in my bedroom barely raised my blood pressure.
2) I got to go on an amazing trip to Peru, see my dream of dreams, and experience a little more of South America. And I didn't get raped or robbed! Success.
3) My boyfriend emails me. Every. Single. Night. Sometimes, he writes a lot, sometimes a little but there's always an email. You rock, Joey Kelly!
4) I've gotten to hold so many BABIES. Almost every time I go out to el campo there's a little one to love.
5) Skype. I love Skype. And it's free. It's a free, good thing. I'm writing a thank you letter to whoever invented Skype when I get back to the States. (Anybody have his/her address?) :)
6) I am here during the peak of the mango season. I know I've mentioned my undying devotion to them before but my housemates told me that -no joke- I'm starting to smell like them. They are leaking out of my pores. I haven't turned orange yet but I'll keep you updated.
7) Montero is a pretty safe town to explore. I walk around by myself all the time without problems and this gives me a freedom that I'd go crazy without.
8) The fan in my bedroom. My room would be a hotter oven without it.
9) I've only gotten sick a handful of times and never for more than a day. I might owe my body a thank you letter when I get back too.
10) Mirna, our secretary is such a great friend. And her 2 year old son finally likes me! There may have been some bribery with cookies involved in that one, he's a timid little guy!
11) Disney movies in Spanish. So great!
12) The weather here is beautiful. I'm worried that I will freeze to death when I head back to Washington.
13) The street food here is so amazing! If you can get over the sketchy-ness of it, it's some of the tastiest food ever! Last night, some friends and I sat at a woman's cart, where she had raw chicken in gallon buckets that she was frying up with yucca (that weird potato thing) and veggies. A plate was less than the American dollar!
14) Jesus isn't just in America. Amen? Amen.
15) Tomorrow, I get to tour the prenatal care/birthing center at the hospital in Santa Cruz! I am so excited that this opportunity fell into my lap as I've always been passionate about maternal/child health. It's not how I'd usually spend Thanksgiving but one I'm sure that I won't forget :)
Friday, November 18, 2011
Back on the Band Wagon
After a rough couple days, some venting, and a brief (ok, maybe not so brief) pity party, I woke up yesterday resolved to get back on the band wagon, cram those rose-colored glasses back on my face, and make Bolivia wish she'd never messed with me. As we headed out to el campo for the day, I decided to imagine that I had one of you guys along with me, as an attempt to see things with fresh eyes.
A lot of bloggers say, "If I had you over for coffee right now, we'd..." Well, if you were with me in Bolivia yesterday you would have...
...Wondered why we had to go to two gas pumps to get gas. I would have explained to you that the first pump is "air gas" ...and that I don't have a clue what that means. But we have two tanks and sometimes we use air gas and during times we need more power, we use the regular liquid kind. You also would have thought that the gas attendants' uniforms are a little strange. Their high heels, tight skirts, and lipstick reminds one of another um, profession.
...Enjoyed the ride out to el campo. It's a bumpy, two-hour, dust churning ride but the views are amazing and quite unique. I would have pointed out some parrots and owls to you and told you about the time I saw a capybara -the world's largest rodent.
...Been amazed at how great the children are! We would have tossed the frisbee around and answered questions about the States. You would have joined me in giving out as many hugs as possible and I might even have shared the 15 week old baby that I got to hold, if you asked me really nicely.
...Been introduced to my dear health promoters -sixteen women that are about my age but have led completely different lives. Most have at least a couple children and haven't done things like ridden on a airplane or gone to college. You would have been so impressed by the amazing health fair they put on!
...Worried with me that one of the new mommas left her newborn at home all day. And they don't bottle feed in el campo.
...Loved the lunch, as long as you're ok that it was served in gallon buckets and delivered in a wheelbarrow. Chicken with rice served with a savory sauce, YUM! I would have encouraged you to eat everything on your plate because it's rude to waste food.
...Laughed when I attempted to sing a song when the kids begged for an "English song." My song choice was "Pumped Up Kicks." Pretty glad that they can't understand the lyrics to that song, although the tune is catchy.
...Been so impressed by my stick-shift driving skills! Marco taught me on the back roads and I didn't kill it once.
...Come to appreciate a ice-cold Coke. It's the only thing cold in el campo.
...Joined me in dancing with the elderly Quechua women at the fiesta commemorating anniversary of the water system in the town of Rio Viejo. We would have eaten grilled pieces of meat with our hands and I would have shown you how to discreetly feed the gristle to the dogs.
...Thought the lightening bugs on the drive home were the coolest. Plus, there was also lightening in the sky too. All of that, plus the fact that it's the first time we've sat down and cooled off all day makes for a lovely ride home.
...Laughed with me as we discover leftover confetti from the fiesta, smeared with the dust on our skin when we get home. To me, that perfectly encapsulates el campo. Dust with confetti, hardship with celebration, suciedad con esperanza...
Yup. Back on the band wagon, folks! Hope you enjoyed your little trip to Bolivia :)
A lot of bloggers say, "If I had you over for coffee right now, we'd..." Well, if you were with me in Bolivia yesterday you would have...
...Wondered why we had to go to two gas pumps to get gas. I would have explained to you that the first pump is "air gas" ...and that I don't have a clue what that means. But we have two tanks and sometimes we use air gas and during times we need more power, we use the regular liquid kind. You also would have thought that the gas attendants' uniforms are a little strange. Their high heels, tight skirts, and lipstick reminds one of another um, profession.
...Enjoyed the ride out to el campo. It's a bumpy, two-hour, dust churning ride but the views are amazing and quite unique. I would have pointed out some parrots and owls to you and told you about the time I saw a capybara -the world's largest rodent.
...Been amazed at how great the children are! We would have tossed the frisbee around and answered questions about the States. You would have joined me in giving out as many hugs as possible and I might even have shared the 15 week old baby that I got to hold, if you asked me really nicely.
...Been introduced to my dear health promoters -sixteen women that are about my age but have led completely different lives. Most have at least a couple children and haven't done things like ridden on a airplane or gone to college. You would have been so impressed by the amazing health fair they put on!
...Worried with me that one of the new mommas left her newborn at home all day. And they don't bottle feed in el campo.
...Loved the lunch, as long as you're ok that it was served in gallon buckets and delivered in a wheelbarrow. Chicken with rice served with a savory sauce, YUM! I would have encouraged you to eat everything on your plate because it's rude to waste food.
...Laughed when I attempted to sing a song when the kids begged for an "English song." My song choice was "Pumped Up Kicks." Pretty glad that they can't understand the lyrics to that song, although the tune is catchy.
...Been so impressed by my stick-shift driving skills! Marco taught me on the back roads and I didn't kill it once.
...Come to appreciate a ice-cold Coke. It's the only thing cold in el campo.
...Joined me in dancing with the elderly Quechua women at the fiesta commemorating anniversary of the water system in the town of Rio Viejo. We would have eaten grilled pieces of meat with our hands and I would have shown you how to discreetly feed the gristle to the dogs.
...Thought the lightening bugs on the drive home were the coolest. Plus, there was also lightening in the sky too. All of that, plus the fact that it's the first time we've sat down and cooled off all day makes for a lovely ride home.
...Laughed with me as we discover leftover confetti from the fiesta, smeared with the dust on our skin when we get home. To me, that perfectly encapsulates el campo. Dust with confetti, hardship with celebration, suciedad con esperanza...
Yup. Back on the band wagon, folks! Hope you enjoyed your little trip to Bolivia :)
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Fetal Position
I feel like my last post must have hurt Bolivia’s feelings or something. Like she thought I was saying, “Alrighty, I’m out of here in a month, do your worst” because this week was rough. Emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and now physically difficult (horrible, horrible stomach pain all day today), Bolivia brought me to the fetal position in more ways than one. I was about write a formal retraction regarding the last post, claiming a severe case of rose-colored glasses because honestly, this week blows.
I think a lot of little things accumulated but some big, bad things were in there too. For example, one of my dear friends here, Rachel left Montero today, due to visa problems. She was the only other English-speaking christian here in Montero (that I know of) and I miss her. Even if we didn’t always get the chance to talk, the thought that she was a short walk across town was comforting to me. Wish you the very best, my dear Raquel!
Cultural things as well have really just been a drag lately. I can’t write about a lot of them (“thou shall not complain about friends or loved ones on the internet” is one of my blog rules) so instead I’ll share this story that my Mom told me today while I was venting we were chatting.
My Mom lived with a host family while she was here in Bolivia and one day the little niña in the family complained that she was hot. So naturally, my Mom offers her a glass of cool, refreshing water out of the refrigerator. So far, so normal. Just as the child is about to take a sip, however, the host mother gasps, grabs the glass away from her daughter, and starts screaming at my Mom. Soon other family members join in the screaming too, making my Mom one bewildered gringa.
You’re probably thinking something along the lines of “What the heck?” right now. Or maybe, you’re hypothizing that the glass was full of pesticides or that the daughter is allergic to water and the host mother was just saving her life. (Side note: The confusion, hypothizing, and general “what the heckness” that you’re experiencing right now? Welcome to my world). The fact is, none of those things is the case in this story. The family believed that drinking cold water is bad for children because it would make them ill.
So what was my Mom supposed to do at that point? Tell them how wrong they were? Sit there and take the screaming? Calmly explain that you. are. crazy?
While I didn’t get screamed at over the past few days, I certainly struggled with those questions and cultural differences. But the truth is, we have super weird things that we believe in the States too. Don’t even get me started on how so many Americans believe that Vitamin C cures the common cold. And I know that there are countless other things that we do/believe that are ridiculous too.
And I also know that this is just a week. One of twelve, and that perspective is helping. But Bolivia, please chill out. Let’s be friends again, yes? Por favor!
Monday, October 10, 2011
"You're not from here, are you?"
I get asked this question a lot. A lot. A lot. A lot. And if it's not the question, then it's the glance followed shortly by the double-take. The really gutsy people ask for a photo. I don't know if I'll ever get used to that.
This sequence of events doesn't usually bother me but what DOES bother me is this question: "She's not from here, is she?" Why does this bother me more? Because it's directed at whichever Bolivian I'm with at the time, meaning that this person is not only assuming that I'm not from here (which is a correct assumption -obviously) but that I can't speak Spanish. And I CAN speak Spanish. Usually, I speak up and tell them "Yes, I'm from the States."
Although this frustrates me, what really gets me is when the people still insist on speaking to my Latino comrades after I've already answered them in Spanish! "So, does she speak Spanish then?" I want to be snotty and retort, "No, I'm just speaking Spanish on accident. It's a total fluke." But I don't because I'm not rude. And because I know I've been an idiot with foreigners before too.
This whole conversation happened a few days ago when I was out to eat with two of my housemates, Guillermo and Fabi. After the woman finally figured out that I could communicate, she started telling me that her and her family are trying to move to the States because "Bolivia is a dirty place full of crime and it's just a terrible place for children. The culture of the United States is so much better than here. Everything is better in the United States."
Awkward! My Bolivian housemates are sitting right next to me while this woman is dissing her/their culture, town, and ultimately identity. Sure, there are things that are awesome about the States. I love the States and I especially love Washington. But I'm from that culture, I'm supposed to be biased. And there are things that are better in Bolivia. The way people just sit around and talk in the evenings for entertainment...the way mamas carry their babies close to their hearts....the motorcycle taxis....the ice cream. Those are great things!
Anyway, it was one of the weirdest experiences that I've had so far. Honestly, I was even offended that she was insulting the place that I chose to live for three months. Her comments stung because I love Bolivia.
Coming up next: I hope a bunch of stories from el campo! The team and I will be spending a lot of time out there for the next three days and I am excited!!
This sequence of events doesn't usually bother me but what DOES bother me is this question: "She's not from here, is she?" Why does this bother me more? Because it's directed at whichever Bolivian I'm with at the time, meaning that this person is not only assuming that I'm not from here (which is a correct assumption -obviously) but that I can't speak Spanish. And I CAN speak Spanish. Usually, I speak up and tell them "Yes, I'm from the States."
Although this frustrates me, what really gets me is when the people still insist on speaking to my Latino comrades after I've already answered them in Spanish! "So, does she speak Spanish then?" I want to be snotty and retort, "No, I'm just speaking Spanish on accident. It's a total fluke." But I don't because I'm not rude. And because I know I've been an idiot with foreigners before too.
This whole conversation happened a few days ago when I was out to eat with two of my housemates, Guillermo and Fabi. After the woman finally figured out that I could communicate, she started telling me that her and her family are trying to move to the States because "Bolivia is a dirty place full of crime and it's just a terrible place for children. The culture of the United States is so much better than here. Everything is better in the United States."
Awkward! My Bolivian housemates are sitting right next to me while this woman is dissing her/their culture, town, and ultimately identity. Sure, there are things that are awesome about the States. I love the States and I especially love Washington. But I'm from that culture, I'm supposed to be biased. And there are things that are better in Bolivia. The way people just sit around and talk in the evenings for entertainment...the way mamas carry their babies close to their hearts....the motorcycle taxis....the ice cream. Those are great things!
Anyway, it was one of the weirdest experiences that I've had so far. Honestly, I was even offended that she was insulting the place that I chose to live for three months. Her comments stung because I love Bolivia.
Coming up next: I hope a bunch of stories from el campo! The team and I will be spending a lot of time out there for the next three days and I am excited!!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Suga Suga and Eat My Dust
I'm sitting in the living room right now, wondering if my ride to church is still coming. That's the thing about Bolivia -you never know if you just didn't understand correctly or if they are simply running on Latino time. I'm honestly debating whether or not I should go back to bed but I just had a cup of coffee so I think that option is probably out.
Anyway...I've been meaning to talk about the sugarcane on here for quite sometime. One of the first things I noticed when I got to Montero was the smell. While it's not as bad as manure or dying things, it is distinct and very strong. Guillermo informed me that it comes from the sugarcane refineries here in town. And while you might have an image from Charlie in the Chocolate Factory in your head, that's not quite accurate.
Sidenote: My ride is here!! Only an hour and half later than they said. I'll finish this later...
Continued:
Montero is known as "The Sweet Town" and is the capital of sugarcane in Bolivia. It's very common to get stuck behind a huge truck loaded to the brim with stalks of burned sugarcane. That's right, burned sugarcane. Harvesters burn the cane to get rid of excess leaves and branches, leaving only the stalks intact. This makes the harvesting easier once they start hacking at it with machetes. Also gets rid of all the snakes (shudder). Snakes are worst than dogs. True story.
Anyway, supposedly the refineries and plantation owners are not supposed to accept burned cane, but it's obvious that this rule isn't enforced. Burning saves the harvesters from a lot of work and I was just reading that it's actually helped decrease child labor here because the harvest requires less workers. However, it can easily destroy whole forests full of monkeys, birds, and tropical foliage, leaving behind ugly, charred ground in its wake.
Often times when we are returning from el campo, there are whole fields burning. Once, I thought I was going crazy because it looked like it was snowing but it was actually just the ash falling from the sky. You can imagine what the smoke/ash combo does for the air quality here. Excuse me while I cough up a lung. Imagine the poor little ones out in el campo with asthma! I've heard many, many mothers complain that their children get sick from the smoke. It's also common to burn your garbage out there too, only aggravating the problem further.
The dust is the other thing that doesn't help the whole breathing thing. If we get stuck behind a huge truck full of cane or there's the slightest breeze, it's like the dustbowl of the 1930's all over again. Fabi can barely see well enough to drive.
Needless to say, I return SO filthy after a full day of work. The dust acts like I put on sunscreen just so it could stick to me. On the bright side, I look really tan if you're not looking too closely. And this type of tanning doesn't give you cancer, so it's pretty much win/win.
Although I'll probably just get cancer from all the Coke I'm drinking instead. You win some, you lose some, folks.
Anyway...I've been meaning to talk about the sugarcane on here for quite sometime. One of the first things I noticed when I got to Montero was the smell. While it's not as bad as manure or dying things, it is distinct and very strong. Guillermo informed me that it comes from the sugarcane refineries here in town. And while you might have an image from Charlie in the Chocolate Factory in your head, that's not quite accurate.
Sidenote: My ride is here!! Only an hour and half later than they said. I'll finish this later...
Continued:
Montero is known as "The Sweet Town" and is the capital of sugarcane in Bolivia. It's very common to get stuck behind a huge truck loaded to the brim with stalks of burned sugarcane. That's right, burned sugarcane. Harvesters burn the cane to get rid of excess leaves and branches, leaving only the stalks intact. This makes the harvesting easier once they start hacking at it with machetes. Also gets rid of all the snakes (shudder). Snakes are worst than dogs. True story.
Anyway, supposedly the refineries and plantation owners are not supposed to accept burned cane, but it's obvious that this rule isn't enforced. Burning saves the harvesters from a lot of work and I was just reading that it's actually helped decrease child labor here because the harvest requires less workers. However, it can easily destroy whole forests full of monkeys, birds, and tropical foliage, leaving behind ugly, charred ground in its wake.
Often times when we are returning from el campo, there are whole fields burning. Once, I thought I was going crazy because it looked like it was snowing but it was actually just the ash falling from the sky. You can imagine what the smoke/ash combo does for the air quality here. Excuse me while I cough up a lung. Imagine the poor little ones out in el campo with asthma! I've heard many, many mothers complain that their children get sick from the smoke. It's also common to burn your garbage out there too, only aggravating the problem further.
The dust is the other thing that doesn't help the whole breathing thing. If we get stuck behind a huge truck full of cane or there's the slightest breeze, it's like the dustbowl of the 1930's all over again. Fabi can barely see well enough to drive.
Needless to say, I return SO filthy after a full day of work. The dust acts like I put on sunscreen just so it could stick to me. On the bright side, I look really tan if you're not looking too closely. And this type of tanning doesn't give you cancer, so it's pretty much win/win.
Although I'll probably just get cancer from all the Coke I'm drinking instead. You win some, you lose some, folks.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Weekend Thoughts
I apologize ahead of time for the choppiness of this post! Some days, I feel like I've got the writing groove going on but today that groove has alluded me. But the weekend has come and gone so here we go!
Mirna invited me to go with her and her family to a concert in Santa Cruz on Saturday night. The first group to perform was pretty much the Bolivian version of the Backstreet Boys -only with matching orange and blue outfits. Their dance moves made me giggle, they were so sappy! But the sappiness was missed by every teenage girl there so I kept my giggling to a minimum. Not that I was heard over the screeching/screaming that was going on anyway.
The next group was a traditional Bolivian band and the crowd really went wild for them! They may be the equivalent of U2 in the States. They were pretty neat and I enjoyed them! But honestly, what I enjoyed most about the concert was this coconut milk popsicle thing I had. I'm telling you, these people know how to make ice cream, yogurt, and juice. Which, ironically are things that I cannot easily take back to the States with me. Rats.
After the concert, we headed further into the city of Santa Cruz. The last time I was in Santa Cruz was when my plane landed and I remembered not being super impressed by how nice it was. My coworkers kept saying, "Isn't this pretty? Look at that! How impressive, no?" And of course I would smile and nod but inside, I'm thinking "Yeah, it's nice but it's not amazing." Well, after a week in rustic Montero, my eyes were sure opened! Almost every store and street had me captivated by how beautiful and shiny everything was. There was even a shopping mall! Whoah, right? Country girl meets the city :)
We were able to go to a fair in Santa Cruz and it was there that I risked my life on a ferris wheel. It wasn't until I got on the ride that it occurred to me that I was trusting rusty arms of steel to plummet me to earth just short of suicide. "IS THAT BOLT LOOSE?" There were way too many creaks and groans for my liking but it made what could have been a boring ride, anything but! I have to say though that the view from the top was incredible!
By this time, we were all hungry so we ate at a street side BBQ. And by BBQ I mean, there's a woman, with a decrepit grill, slices of meat, and a big pot of soggy rice. You sit yourself in the patio furniture and she serves you up. It's pretty crazy. It was here that I had my first taste of some sort of intestines. Folks, I cannot recommend them. Whatever the gray paste inside of them was, it was really, really...yucky. Not even Mirna's daughters ate them. I pulled the whole spit-it-out-in-your-napkin-while-acting-like-you're-wiping-your-mouth trick. Love that one.
Mirna's family was very, very hospitable and super nice to me. I cannot express in either of the languages that I know, what it means to be invited into a family for a night when you have barely known them for a week. It is definitely making me wish that I would have reached out to international students more when I was at WWU.
On Sunday, I was able to attend church here! The service was definitely different than what I am used to but it was great and I was able to understand the pastor without any problems. I also met two sisters and they've already invited me to go to a celebration with them next weekend. I'd like you to take a minute to appreciate whatever community/friends/family that YOU got to hang out with this weekend. Fellowship is something that I definitely don't take for granted here!
Ok, last thing and then I'll end this mammoth post: I had completely forgotten the custom of greeting a newcomer during church services in Latin America and so when the announcement guy started talking about "our newcomer, David" I was completely clueless -until one of the sisters told me to stand up. It was then that I caught on that I was David. The whole church then recited a greeting to me, while I turned a deep shade of scarlet. Luckily, I didn't have to say anything.
Phew, ok. Believe it or not that was my weekend in a nutshell. Good job if you got through all of that! I'll try to make the next one shorter :) Thanks for reading!
Mirna invited me to go with her and her family to a concert in Santa Cruz on Saturday night. The first group to perform was pretty much the Bolivian version of the Backstreet Boys -only with matching orange and blue outfits. Their dance moves made me giggle, they were so sappy! But the sappiness was missed by every teenage girl there so I kept my giggling to a minimum. Not that I was heard over the screeching/screaming that was going on anyway.
The next group was a traditional Bolivian band and the crowd really went wild for them! They may be the equivalent of U2 in the States. They were pretty neat and I enjoyed them! But honestly, what I enjoyed most about the concert was this coconut milk popsicle thing I had. I'm telling you, these people know how to make ice cream, yogurt, and juice. Which, ironically are things that I cannot easily take back to the States with me. Rats.
After the concert, we headed further into the city of Santa Cruz. The last time I was in Santa Cruz was when my plane landed and I remembered not being super impressed by how nice it was. My coworkers kept saying, "Isn't this pretty? Look at that! How impressive, no?" And of course I would smile and nod but inside, I'm thinking "Yeah, it's nice but it's not amazing." Well, after a week in rustic Montero, my eyes were sure opened! Almost every store and street had me captivated by how beautiful and shiny everything was. There was even a shopping mall! Whoah, right? Country girl meets the city :)
We were able to go to a fair in Santa Cruz and it was there that I risked my life on a ferris wheel. It wasn't until I got on the ride that it occurred to me that I was trusting rusty arms of steel to plummet me to earth just short of suicide. "IS THAT BOLT LOOSE?" There were way too many creaks and groans for my liking but it made what could have been a boring ride, anything but! I have to say though that the view from the top was incredible!
By this time, we were all hungry so we ate at a street side BBQ. And by BBQ I mean, there's a woman, with a decrepit grill, slices of meat, and a big pot of soggy rice. You sit yourself in the patio furniture and she serves you up. It's pretty crazy. It was here that I had my first taste of some sort of intestines. Folks, I cannot recommend them. Whatever the gray paste inside of them was, it was really, really...yucky. Not even Mirna's daughters ate them. I pulled the whole spit-it-out-in-your-napkin-while-acting-like-you're-wiping-your-mouth trick. Love that one.
Mirna's family was very, very hospitable and super nice to me. I cannot express in either of the languages that I know, what it means to be invited into a family for a night when you have barely known them for a week. It is definitely making me wish that I would have reached out to international students more when I was at WWU.
On Sunday, I was able to attend church here! The service was definitely different than what I am used to but it was great and I was able to understand the pastor without any problems. I also met two sisters and they've already invited me to go to a celebration with them next weekend. I'd like you to take a minute to appreciate whatever community/friends/family that YOU got to hang out with this weekend. Fellowship is something that I definitely don't take for granted here!
Ok, last thing and then I'll end this mammoth post: I had completely forgotten the custom of greeting a newcomer during church services in Latin America and so when the announcement guy started talking about "our newcomer, David" I was completely clueless -until one of the sisters told me to stand up. It was then that I caught on that I was David. The whole church then recited a greeting to me, while I turned a deep shade of scarlet. Luckily, I didn't have to say anything.
Phew, ok. Believe it or not that was my weekend in a nutshell. Good job if you got through all of that! I'll try to make the next one shorter :) Thanks for reading!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Frequently Asked Questions (and Injections!)
There are a lot of different questions that I get asked by friends and family, so I thought I'd cover a few of them here!
1) What's the food like?
A typical meal so far here is a slab of beef, some potatoes, and rice. Variations of this have been: a fried slice of meat, meat with a fried egg on top, fried chicken, and yuca. Yuca is like a potato, only drier and with a completely different flavor that I'm not going to try to explain. It's all been really good! OH! And Coca-Cola! SO MUCH Coke! We drink that more than Washingtonians drink coffee!
2) And the weather?
Goodness gracious, the weather here is the weirdest! It's almost always really, really, really hot. But every once in awhile, the wind will pick up and you need a light jacket. Or it will pour rain for five mins. Today I heard thunder too! To describe the weather in one word: Unpredictable. And hot :)
3) How is your Spanish?
Honestly, I am a little frustrated with it. It is hard to sound dumb all the time! But I know that it will improve and Helen just told me today that I'm doing better than she was when she first got here. I just need patience! I'm pretty happy with my comprehension, most of the time.
4) Why are you there again?
I'm completing an internship with Etta Projects so I can graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Community Health in December! (PS My BA in Spanish is already complete, just in case you were confused!)
5) How long are you going to be there?
I'll be here until December 10th! Three months.
6) Do you miss people?
Um, YES! But technology has made being so far away pretty easy! And I haven't cried yet, so that's always good.
7) Are you safe?
Yes, mostly. I get stared at pretty often but I haven't felt threatened, except for once, when Helen and I went out after dark by ourselves (that lasted one block and then we turned around, back to the house!). Katie, my director, has been robbed at gunpoint twice but she is much more adventurous than I am. I don't carry a purse with me, ever. Honestly, I'm not that worried about it but I am trying to be wise! You are always safest where God wants you anyway!
8) What are your housemates like?
They are fun-loving group of people, for sure! Fabi has grown up in Montero her whole life and is a real jokester! Guillermo is originally from Peru - he is a fantastic cook and serenades us every night with his guitara. Helen is the other intern from Michigan. Her and I have bedrooms right across from each other and share a bathroom. She's great and plays the violin like nobody's buisness!
9) What's your address? And can you post pictures?
The mail here is really unpredictable so I'm not giving out my address. Sometimes it takes up to four months for something to get here, in which case -you can just give it to me when I come back! Pictures are on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150296639897747.333906.562022746&l=ad1b7d9dfe&type=1
10) Are you sick?
NO! I'm not! Que bueno, no? I do get some sharp pains in my stomach daily, so my stomach has noticed that something is different but other than that, I've been totally fine! I'd like to thank close family friend, Jen Penrose for suggesting that I take pro-biotics. I think that they are working! And God for answering my prayers for a stomach of steel!
11) How was practicing injections yesterday?
Ok, so no one asked this, I just wanted to share :) It was great! We went to a village about two hours away with first aid kits for the neighboring seven communities. Each community has two health promoters that met us there to learn basic first aid -which here includes giving injections! I got to learn that too and practiced on my friend Mirna! It was awesome! Although that needle was seriously looooooong. And don't worry, I was fair and let her practice on me too! It was another great day!
1) What's the food like?
A typical meal so far here is a slab of beef, some potatoes, and rice. Variations of this have been: a fried slice of meat, meat with a fried egg on top, fried chicken, and yuca. Yuca is like a potato, only drier and with a completely different flavor that I'm not going to try to explain. It's all been really good! OH! And Coca-Cola! SO MUCH Coke! We drink that more than Washingtonians drink coffee!
2) And the weather?
Goodness gracious, the weather here is the weirdest! It's almost always really, really, really hot. But every once in awhile, the wind will pick up and you need a light jacket. Or it will pour rain for five mins. Today I heard thunder too! To describe the weather in one word: Unpredictable. And hot :)
3) How is your Spanish?
Honestly, I am a little frustrated with it. It is hard to sound dumb all the time! But I know that it will improve and Helen just told me today that I'm doing better than she was when she first got here. I just need patience! I'm pretty happy with my comprehension, most of the time.
4) Why are you there again?
I'm completing an internship with Etta Projects so I can graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Community Health in December! (PS My BA in Spanish is already complete, just in case you were confused!)
5) How long are you going to be there?
I'll be here until December 10th! Three months.
6) Do you miss people?
Um, YES! But technology has made being so far away pretty easy! And I haven't cried yet, so that's always good.
7) Are you safe?
Yes, mostly. I get stared at pretty often but I haven't felt threatened, except for once, when Helen and I went out after dark by ourselves (that lasted one block and then we turned around, back to the house!). Katie, my director, has been robbed at gunpoint twice but she is much more adventurous than I am. I don't carry a purse with me, ever. Honestly, I'm not that worried about it but I am trying to be wise! You are always safest where God wants you anyway!
8) What are your housemates like?
They are fun-loving group of people, for sure! Fabi has grown up in Montero her whole life and is a real jokester! Guillermo is originally from Peru - he is a fantastic cook and serenades us every night with his guitara. Helen is the other intern from Michigan. Her and I have bedrooms right across from each other and share a bathroom. She's great and plays the violin like nobody's buisness!
9) What's your address? And can you post pictures?
The mail here is really unpredictable so I'm not giving out my address. Sometimes it takes up to four months for something to get here, in which case -you can just give it to me when I come back! Pictures are on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150296639897747.333906.562022746&l=ad1b7d9dfe&type=1
10) Are you sick?
NO! I'm not! Que bueno, no? I do get some sharp pains in my stomach daily, so my stomach has noticed that something is different but other than that, I've been totally fine! I'd like to thank close family friend, Jen Penrose for suggesting that I take pro-biotics. I think that they are working! And God for answering my prayers for a stomach of steel!
11) How was practicing injections yesterday?
Ok, so no one asked this, I just wanted to share :) It was great! We went to a village about two hours away with first aid kits for the neighboring seven communities. Each community has two health promoters that met us there to learn basic first aid -which here includes giving injections! I got to learn that too and practiced on my friend Mirna! It was awesome! Although that needle was seriously looooooong. And don't worry, I was fair and let her practice on me too! It was another great day!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Los Filtros de Agua
One thing (among many) that I love about Etta Projects is that we are a Bolivian organization, almost completely run by Bolivians. My Bolivian coworkers really take a lot of pride in this and are quick to correct anyone who says otherwise. It is so important to me to work for an organization that incorporates the input and opinions of local people. It makes no sense to come into a country as knight is shining armor, pretending to know what these people need and want, when you have never experienced what their daily life is like.
Anyway, I said all that to say that whenever I go out to survey people, I try to have a local health promoter go with me. This helps with many aspects of the work that I do here, but also leaves the people someone in the community with a connection to Etta once I go home. Plus, I honestly need the help!
My promoter for the water filter project was Dona Victoria and our goal was to visit at least five families in the town, El Rodeo. I was disappointed that the first few families were not using their water filters at all because the handle on the faucets were broken or the bucket portion of the filter was cracked.
To be completely honest, sometimes I have a hard time not judging some of these families. I know that life in el campo is hard but some families take better care of their belongings and children than others. Mirna (the secretary here and my Bolivian mother) says "es un problema de caracter" -a problem of character.
One family in particular was living in horrible conditions. There were dogs, and garbage all over -even chickens in the beds! The children were half naked with snotty noses and the baby's eyes were caked with dirt and flies. This family's water filter was completely disassembled and the mother of the family didn't seem like she cared about anything. It's not my place to judge -I don't know what her life is like or how she grew up but I do pity her children. And really, I pity her as well because you must have been through hell to be that defeated. Sometimes I think what people need is hope, and that doesn't come out of a water filter. Although I could say a few things about the Living Water.
It was at this house that one of the family's dogs jumped out and bit Mirna (who went with me).
I was ready to hit the dog over the head but Mirna just shrugged and said, "It's a good thing I'm wearing jeans!" And everyone else acted like nothing happened! I. Was. In. Shock. But I'm always trying to be culturally aware so I tried to hide my horror over what happened. And I think I failed.
Despite families like this one, there were some families that were still using their filters, which is pretty good considering that they received them over a year and a half ago. One family in particular was just the cutest. The young mother was so proud of her water filter, even pouring us a glass so we could try the water. She raved and raved about both her filter and her new bathroom. It was really encouraging! Hopefully, her little boy will grow up healthy and with better opportunities! With the right tools -and enough hope- I know that all the families in el campo could have these results!
Anyway, I said all that to say that whenever I go out to survey people, I try to have a local health promoter go with me. This helps with many aspects of the work that I do here, but also leaves the people someone in the community with a connection to Etta once I go home. Plus, I honestly need the help!
My promoter for the water filter project was Dona Victoria and our goal was to visit at least five families in the town, El Rodeo. I was disappointed that the first few families were not using their water filters at all because the handle on the faucets were broken or the bucket portion of the filter was cracked.
To be completely honest, sometimes I have a hard time not judging some of these families. I know that life in el campo is hard but some families take better care of their belongings and children than others. Mirna (the secretary here and my Bolivian mother) says "es un problema de caracter" -a problem of character.
One family in particular was living in horrible conditions. There were dogs, and garbage all over -even chickens in the beds! The children were half naked with snotty noses and the baby's eyes were caked with dirt and flies. This family's water filter was completely disassembled and the mother of the family didn't seem like she cared about anything. It's not my place to judge -I don't know what her life is like or how she grew up but I do pity her children. And really, I pity her as well because you must have been through hell to be that defeated. Sometimes I think what people need is hope, and that doesn't come out of a water filter. Although I could say a few things about the Living Water.
It was at this house that one of the family's dogs jumped out and bit Mirna (who went with me).
I was ready to hit the dog over the head but Mirna just shrugged and said, "It's a good thing I'm wearing jeans!" And everyone else acted like nothing happened! I. Was. In. Shock. But I'm always trying to be culturally aware so I tried to hide my horror over what happened. And I think I failed.
Despite families like this one, there were some families that were still using their filters, which is pretty good considering that they received them over a year and a half ago. One family in particular was just the cutest. The young mother was so proud of her water filter, even pouring us a glass so we could try the water. She raved and raved about both her filter and her new bathroom. It was really encouraging! Hopefully, her little boy will grow up healthy and with better opportunities! With the right tools -and enough hope- I know that all the families in el campo could have these results!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Independiente
Yesterday was quite the day! I was expecting to spend most of the day around the house because Katie was unable to take me places. But pretty much as soon as I appeared downstairs, she handed me her house keys, a map, and her cellphone and told me to hit the town. So, I did!
I set out thinking I would just walk to the supermercado (super market) because I had already been there with Katie and so I knew what to look for and what to expect. My walk there was very eye-opening and the time alone gave me lots of time to process and absorb the sights of the town. Only calling this place a town is somewhat inaccurate, I feel like it is more city-like than I expected. There is quite the diversity of people, for one thing. There's a large Mennonite community here, so we have the white, blue-eyed blondies and then there's also the indigenous Quechua people as well, whose women always wear brightly colored skirts and have two long, dark braids down their back. And then there's me, who despite the variety of the streets still manages to stick out.
So there I was, out on my own in a foreign country, INDEPENDENT for the first time. It was really neat. There are a lot of contrasts here. Some houses are beautiful, with courtyards and fancy cars, while others have burros and countless dogs and garbage all over. But the diversity made the walk interesting. I'm trying really hard not to look like a tourist but sometimes I just couldn't help but pull out my camera while trying to close my wide open jaw.
One of the best parts of the walk was finding an evangelical church. I had just been praying that morning that God would provide a church community for me here and hadn't found anything by using "the google." And then, not even three hours later on the main street of Montero, is a white iglesia with the words "evangelico" in big blue letters. I am excited to try it out next Sunday! Praise God that He provides so completely.
Once I arrived at the supermercado, I wandered around and looked at all of the different products. One of my favorite things is seeing American things translated into Spanish. Like Herbal Essence shampoo with the titles "adicta al color." Eventually, I decided that buying some bread, jam, and peanut butter would be a great thing -easy to pack for lunches! Only I could not for the life of me remember how to say peanut butter in Spanish, nor could I find it. I knew how to say butter though and eventually the store manager figured out what I was trying to say ("brown, salty, butter -hahaha). But they were all out. So next time I will have to go back and ask for "crema de mani."
After my shopping trip, I headed to the plaza, where I drank my newly acquired pineapple juice in a bag. You partake in the sweet goodness by ripping a corner off the bag with your teeth and sucking out the juice. It's real, real good. Right up there with drinkable yogurt.
I arrived back at the house, feeling pretty proud of my new found independence! Once my groceries were put away, drunk on my new freedom, I decided to walk all the way to the open air market, which is close to ten blocks away. This was WAY too far on 100 degrees day but I was determined to go. I had to ask for directions once but I finally made it.
Folks, the open air market is just the Coolest. Thing. Ever. There's EVERYTHING there and it's all over the place. There's whole butchered chickens, shoes, school supplies, veggies, and an entire tienda (shop) of pink Valentine bears. Yup, the entire store is just pink bears. I bought a tomato from a woman and her daughters. I'm going to try to be one of their regular customers because I like them :)
The walk home was really long and hot. I had to stop at the supermercado to buy a soda because I was going to pass out. The employee that had helped me with the peanut butter recognized me and waved, probably thinking what a crazy gringa :)
I was exhausted once I got back to the house. By this time I think I had been gone somewhere between 3-4 hrs. And I hadn't eaten lunch and it was four. So I started to make some beans and tortillas but Guillermo (or Yermo as we call him) made ceviche, which is raw fish, soaked in lemon juice and onions. It sounds gross but it was so good. I ate two plates. We''ll see how the tummy does with that! I keep praying for a stomach of steel. But so far so good! So far so good, where everything is concerned here, in my opinion :)
I set out thinking I would just walk to the supermercado (super market) because I had already been there with Katie and so I knew what to look for and what to expect. My walk there was very eye-opening and the time alone gave me lots of time to process and absorb the sights of the town. Only calling this place a town is somewhat inaccurate, I feel like it is more city-like than I expected. There is quite the diversity of people, for one thing. There's a large Mennonite community here, so we have the white, blue-eyed blondies and then there's also the indigenous Quechua people as well, whose women always wear brightly colored skirts and have two long, dark braids down their back. And then there's me, who despite the variety of the streets still manages to stick out.
So there I was, out on my own in a foreign country, INDEPENDENT for the first time. It was really neat. There are a lot of contrasts here. Some houses are beautiful, with courtyards and fancy cars, while others have burros and countless dogs and garbage all over. But the diversity made the walk interesting. I'm trying really hard not to look like a tourist but sometimes I just couldn't help but pull out my camera while trying to close my wide open jaw.
One of the best parts of the walk was finding an evangelical church. I had just been praying that morning that God would provide a church community for me here and hadn't found anything by using "the google." And then, not even three hours later on the main street of Montero, is a white iglesia with the words "evangelico" in big blue letters. I am excited to try it out next Sunday! Praise God that He provides so completely.
Once I arrived at the supermercado, I wandered around and looked at all of the different products. One of my favorite things is seeing American things translated into Spanish. Like Herbal Essence shampoo with the titles "adicta al color." Eventually, I decided that buying some bread, jam, and peanut butter would be a great thing -easy to pack for lunches! Only I could not for the life of me remember how to say peanut butter in Spanish, nor could I find it. I knew how to say butter though and eventually the store manager figured out what I was trying to say ("brown, salty, butter -hahaha). But they were all out. So next time I will have to go back and ask for "crema de mani."
After my shopping trip, I headed to the plaza, where I drank my newly acquired pineapple juice in a bag. You partake in the sweet goodness by ripping a corner off the bag with your teeth and sucking out the juice. It's real, real good. Right up there with drinkable yogurt.
I arrived back at the house, feeling pretty proud of my new found independence! Once my groceries were put away, drunk on my new freedom, I decided to walk all the way to the open air market, which is close to ten blocks away. This was WAY too far on 100 degrees day but I was determined to go. I had to ask for directions once but I finally made it.
Folks, the open air market is just the Coolest. Thing. Ever. There's EVERYTHING there and it's all over the place. There's whole butchered chickens, shoes, school supplies, veggies, and an entire tienda (shop) of pink Valentine bears. Yup, the entire store is just pink bears. I bought a tomato from a woman and her daughters. I'm going to try to be one of their regular customers because I like them :)
The walk home was really long and hot. I had to stop at the supermercado to buy a soda because I was going to pass out. The employee that had helped me with the peanut butter recognized me and waved, probably thinking what a crazy gringa :)
I was exhausted once I got back to the house. By this time I think I had been gone somewhere between 3-4 hrs. And I hadn't eaten lunch and it was four. So I started to make some beans and tortillas but Guillermo (or Yermo as we call him) made ceviche, which is raw fish, soaked in lemon juice and onions. It sounds gross but it was so good. I ate two plates. We''ll see how the tummy does with that! I keep praying for a stomach of steel. But so far so good! So far so good, where everything is concerned here, in my opinion :)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Una fiesta!
When I was a sophomore in college, I had to write a report on a Latin American tradition. I chose the Quinceanera and wrote a two page paper on the topic, never dreaming that someday I would get to experience one for myself! (Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era). Here's my experience of a party, Latino style!
We arrived at the Quinceanera two whole hours late. Now, before you chastise me for being rude, it's important to understand how time works here in Bolivia. For example, if someone tells you that a party starts at eight, that means you should start getting ready at eight, maybe run some errands, call your mom, and only then think about calling a taxi for the 20 min ride over to the party. As it was, we were the first people there. How very American of us :)
The party was held in a discoteca (or a club), called Ronny's. Imagine a middle school dance, only make everything a little more crazy -louder music, brighter lights, and better food! I couldn't stop smiling at the whole thing, it was so very Latino! The birthday girl was wearing her crown and a gorgeous dress, looking like a princess. I felt a little under dressed in my cotton dress! Beer, vodka with juice, and soda were served. I tried a little of all three but declined the rum when it appeared!
And then the dancing began! OH MAN. Can these people move! Even the men shake their hips like none other. And no, I did not shake what my momma gave me, or at least not a lot. Can't shake hips if you don't have them :) I swear these people are double jointed to move the way they do! A sweet twelve year boy asked me to dance and that was really fun. We did a little traditional dance, it's hard to describe but it's like swing dancing only with more hip movement, of course. One of my favorite parts of the dancing was when the "Tonight's gonna be a good night" song came on -only it was in Spanish!
After a while, the birthday girl (who by this time was in another dress!) had her father/daughter dance, which then turned into a dance with every male relative, then her mother, then her friends, and lastly anyone that stepped in! It was very sweet.
Oh my! I almost forgot the food! There was fried chicken, mini hamburgers, coconut balls, and chocolate marshmallows. All very, very good. And the evening wouldn't have been complete without a birthday cake! I like the cake here so much better here than in the States. Here, it seems like it is soaked in sweet cream, making for a very wet but delicious cake!
We stayed at the party until 2am! And I believe we were among the first to go. Katie said that it is common for parties like this to last until six in the morning. Ain't no party like a Bolivian party, cuz a Bolivian party (literally) don't stop! I love the tradition of it though, a girl becoming a woman, dancing with her loved ones.
In some ways, I feel like this trip is becoming somewhat of a Quinceanera for me, in that I'm growing up and learning so much, about the culture -yes, but also about myself. Speaking of which, I got to go out in the town today -solo! I'll write about that tomorrow :) Until then, amigos!
We arrived at the Quinceanera two whole hours late. Now, before you chastise me for being rude, it's important to understand how time works here in Bolivia. For example, if someone tells you that a party starts at eight, that means you should start getting ready at eight, maybe run some errands, call your mom, and only then think about calling a taxi for the 20 min ride over to the party. As it was, we were the first people there. How very American of us :)
The party was held in a discoteca (or a club), called Ronny's. Imagine a middle school dance, only make everything a little more crazy -louder music, brighter lights, and better food! I couldn't stop smiling at the whole thing, it was so very Latino! The birthday girl was wearing her crown and a gorgeous dress, looking like a princess. I felt a little under dressed in my cotton dress! Beer, vodka with juice, and soda were served. I tried a little of all three but declined the rum when it appeared!
And then the dancing began! OH MAN. Can these people move! Even the men shake their hips like none other. And no, I did not shake what my momma gave me, or at least not a lot. Can't shake hips if you don't have them :) I swear these people are double jointed to move the way they do! A sweet twelve year boy asked me to dance and that was really fun. We did a little traditional dance, it's hard to describe but it's like swing dancing only with more hip movement, of course. One of my favorite parts of the dancing was when the "Tonight's gonna be a good night" song came on -only it was in Spanish!
After a while, the birthday girl (who by this time was in another dress!) had her father/daughter dance, which then turned into a dance with every male relative, then her mother, then her friends, and lastly anyone that stepped in! It was very sweet.
Oh my! I almost forgot the food! There was fried chicken, mini hamburgers, coconut balls, and chocolate marshmallows. All very, very good. And the evening wouldn't have been complete without a birthday cake! I like the cake here so much better here than in the States. Here, it seems like it is soaked in sweet cream, making for a very wet but delicious cake!
We stayed at the party until 2am! And I believe we were among the first to go. Katie said that it is common for parties like this to last until six in the morning. Ain't no party like a Bolivian party, cuz a Bolivian party (literally) don't stop! I love the tradition of it though, a girl becoming a woman, dancing with her loved ones.
In some ways, I feel like this trip is becoming somewhat of a Quinceanera for me, in that I'm growing up and learning so much, about the culture -yes, but also about myself. Speaking of which, I got to go out in the town today -solo! I'll write about that tomorrow :) Until then, amigos!
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