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 :)
Showing posts with label Fiesta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiesta. Show all posts
Friday, November 18, 2011
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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