Last Friday, I traveled with a group of Maryknoll students and volunteers to the Chapare, a region in the department of Cochabamba. The Chapare is much different than the city of Cochabamba! It is very jungly, hot and humid, and the people who reside there live much differently. As we bused east towards the Chapare, it was crazy to me that we were so close to the city I am currently living in, but literally worlds away. The houses in the Chapare are made of banana leaves, small wood slats, adode, or bricks. Most homes had no doors and windows, and many have no running water or electricity. And, the towns there are very small and quaint. The roads are dirt and rocks. So, coming from the city of Cochabamba was an experience!
Saturday morning we went to visit Don Vicente and his land. Don Vicente was born in the most southern part of Bolivia, near the border with Argentina. When Vicente was a teenager, his family moved to the Chapare in search of a better life. When they arrived in the Chapare, they purchased a piece of land to cultivate and make a living from. They government told the family they could grown anything on their land, but coca. Coca, which has such an important cultural, social, and medicinal purpose to the indigenous of Bolivia, could not be grown. But, over the years, laws were changed, and coca can now be grown in the Chapare. Don Vicente is a very humble, hard-working man. He cultivates and grows coca, rubber trees, heart of palm, and cacoa. The process of cultivating his crops is hard work, and he only makes enough to get by. He lives in a small house made of adobe with his family, which is quite a distance from his land. He told us all about the attempted eradication of coca in the Chapare by corrupt presidents with help from the United States, and the constant battle with the coca leaf. Don Vicente explained that some coca farmers do divert some of their crop to cocaine production, but he does not because of the sacredness of the leaf and the strict laws against the production of the drug. President Evo Morales has recently made the laws against cocaine much more strict!
Next, we visited UMOFAR, the police unit that fights cocaine production and transportation. The officer touring us around, explained that unlike Colombia, cocaine production in Bolivia is done by families, not cartels. So, cocaine is produced on a much smaller scale, usually, and it is harder to catch shut down the labs and catch people transporting the drug. The production of cocaine has spread to poor communities in Santa Cruz and El Alto above La Paz. For many families, the production of cocaine is their only source of income. The Bolivian government is working to stop the production of cocaine, and put more focus on the organic growing of coca.
On Sunday we went to Parque Nacional Carrasco, a protected portion of the jungle! It was one of my favorite activities of the weekend! In the city, we are constantly surrounded by cars and buses, buildings and chaos, but in the middle of the jungle there is serenity and peacefulness. We went on a three hour hike covering only a small portion of the Parque. We say so many different trees and plants, birds, and even bats!
Overall, my weekend in the Chapare was absolutely amazing! I could have done without the millions of bugs and horrible humidity, but it was all part of the experience! A huge cockroach scurried down the bathroom wall one night and I found a frog in the shower. So, I was definitely in touch with nature!
Work is going so well! I have really gotten to know the kids and the tias I work with well! I cannot even think about leaving in December! These kids have been such an important part of my life for the last three months. But, there is still so much more to come and so much to look forward to!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Religion...
This week has been pretty busy--saying goodbye to Mom and Dad, a really fun birthday party, work, and singing practice. Yes, singing practice! Tim, my new roommate at the Maryknoll volunteer house, and I are part of the Capilla of Exaltacion's music ministers! We went to practice Saturday night for about 2 hours and went over each song twice. And, this morning we sang at the 10 AM mass. I was really nervous, but it was so fun! I really enjoy singing again! Also, since I have been in Cochabamba, I have become more religious. I do not attend mass regularly, although now that I am singing I will be at mass every Sunday morning. But, I have found a deeper spiritual significance. I believe this new understanding has come from working with the children in the Ninos con Valor organization. They have taught me that no matter what you go through in life, you can always still be positive and loving, happy and grateful, kind and respectful! This is a religion in itself.
Also, while Carol was here, we attended mass in the deep Southern zone. In this part of the south, many of the families are extremely poor and very indigenous. Most of the citizens in this area speak only Quechua, an indigenous language. But, the mass we went to at 7:45 AM was one of the most beautiful masses I have ever been to. The people were all so kind and welcoming, even those who did not speak Spanish. Also, the "church" was a recreation center that is being built. There were a few benches and stools for the parishioners. There were no windows and the floor was dirt and rocks. There was only a cross made out of woos and a small shrine--a few candles, a picture, and some flowers. So, religion does not need to be practiced in multi-million dollar churches and cathedrals. Religion can be practiced anywhere, even in an incomplete building in rocks and dirt!
On a less spiritual level, last Friday was Nora's birthday. Nora is a Franciscan missionary in Cochabamba for three years. She is working with Franciscan International and also helping a Maryknoll priest begin a composting program here. But, we went our dancing and it was so fun! We went to a place called Pancho's close to Plaza Colon and we had a blast! We met people from all over South America and a few guys from Kenya! It really is a small world I am realizing here!
This weekend I will be traveling to the Chapare, an very jungley area of Bolivia! Many Bolivians have told me that the Chapare is the most beautiful place in Bolivia. While there, we will visit a coca farm, some eco-tourist locations, hike, and swim in some rivers and lakes! I am looking forward to seeing the Chapare! I will take lots of pictures!
Here is to a good week!
Also, while Carol was here, we attended mass in the deep Southern zone. In this part of the south, many of the families are extremely poor and very indigenous. Most of the citizens in this area speak only Quechua, an indigenous language. But, the mass we went to at 7:45 AM was one of the most beautiful masses I have ever been to. The people were all so kind and welcoming, even those who did not speak Spanish. Also, the "church" was a recreation center that is being built. There were a few benches and stools for the parishioners. There were no windows and the floor was dirt and rocks. There was only a cross made out of woos and a small shrine--a few candles, a picture, and some flowers. So, religion does not need to be practiced in multi-million dollar churches and cathedrals. Religion can be practiced anywhere, even in an incomplete building in rocks and dirt!
On a less spiritual level, last Friday was Nora's birthday. Nora is a Franciscan missionary in Cochabamba for three years. She is working with Franciscan International and also helping a Maryknoll priest begin a composting program here. But, we went our dancing and it was so fun! We went to a place called Pancho's close to Plaza Colon and we had a blast! We met people from all over South America and a few guys from Kenya! It really is a small world I am realizing here!
This weekend I will be traveling to the Chapare, an very jungley area of Bolivia! Many Bolivians have told me that the Chapare is the most beautiful place in Bolivia. While there, we will visit a coca farm, some eco-tourist locations, hike, and swim in some rivers and lakes! I am looking forward to seeing the Chapare! I will take lots of pictures!
Here is to a good week!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Oh, the Bolivian Adventure!
Well, I had an amazing time with my parents, and already miss them so much! It felt so surreal that they were in Bolivia with me. My parents got to come to work with me, and they absolutely fell in love with the babies and the girls! They also saw the Cancha, the biggest outdoor market in Latin America, where I buy vegetables and fruit. During our Cancha visit, we bought souvenirs and coca leaves, which my dad was most excited about! And, we even ate a traditional Bolivian meal--choclo con queso (Big corn with cheese)--with a few of the tias I work with! They also met all the Maryknoll members and Alfredo. Alfredo is a wonderful Bolivian man, who has taught many young kids in the Southern Zone his art of woodwork. We visited his workshop, and my parents got to see the products being made by hand, the original drawings. They were very impressed and enjoyed meeting Alfredo! Urkupina, a festival celebrated in Quillacollo, a small town next to Cochabamba, was celebrated the weekend mom and dad were here! On Saturday, August 14th, we went with a group of Maryknollers to the entrada, a parade with traditional dances and music. It was absolutely amazing! I loved the dancing, and I got to see a friend who was dancing the Tinkus. All in all, I had an amazing, fun ten days with my mom and dad!
I tried to show my mom and dad daily life and the culture of Cochabamba. But, I know it was not the restaurants or the shopping or the Cristo de la Concordia or the Urlupina festival that impacted and affected my parents the most--spending time with the girls and babies of Corazon del Pastor and Pedacito del Cielo left a permanent imprint on both their hearts! Both my parents commented that they will miss the kids, even after only meeting them for a few hours! At the baby home they held the kids and got on the ground to play with them!
The young Bolivian children I work with are truly spectacular! Although many of the girls and babies have suffered traumatic pasts, each child possesses so much love and so much kindness. After two months of getting to know the girls and spending time holding the babies, I feel like I am a friend, an older sister to these kids. My time and my presence is my gift to these kids, and after this experience, I think that is one of the best gifts you can give to someone, especially kids looking for affection and love, attention and encouragement. I could not have been assigned to a better organization! Although I have about four months left, I already know I am going to have a very hard time leaving the girls and babies! I have become accustomed to helping the girls cook and do homework, talking and listening to their stories, giving them hugs and kisses when I arrive and when I leave, listening to their problems and trying to find a solution; I have become accustomed to sitting with and holding the babies, getting them ready for nap and for bad, picking them up after they fall.
I really cannot put into words what an incredibly amazing experience this has been so far, and I know there is so much more to come! And, it makes me most happy that my parents got to see me at work, to see where I live, to see what daily life is like, and to meet the wonderful kids who bring such joy to my life everyday.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A Bolivian Reality
My parents arrived this Monday, and it was so exciting to see them! Also, this week, Ninos con Valor is hosting a team from Seattle to help at both homes. So, my parents and I have gotten to participate in a few of the activities.
After going to Immigration and painting flower pots with a few of the girls from Corazon del Pastor and the Seattle team, I met my parents at their hotel! It was so wonderful to be with them again! It made me realize really how much I have been missing our family time! We decided to get dinner, which was quite a chase since many of the restaurants here are closed on Monday. But, we ended up having a delicious dinner. When we got back to their hotel, we talked and caught up!
Tuesday was quite an exciting day for my parents! We went to breakfast at Cafe Paris in the main plaza. They enjoyed the coffee very much! Then, we had our first pharmacy experience! I had to head to the Cancha to pick-up the kids from the Seattle team and take them to lunch, while my parents headed back to their hotel before meeting us. I was running a little late with the kids, and my parents were standing in front of a popular restaurant on a very busy, main street waiting for us. Students were protesting and rioting in the area because the doors of their school had been locked. The police believed it was getting out of hand, and set off tear gas right outside of the restaurant. So, my parents got teargassed during a student riot! My dad made the comment that during all his years of peace marches and protests, he had never been teargassed. I said, "Bienvenidos a Bolivia!"
After a quick lunch, my parents headed to the airport to claim their luggage that was left in Miami by American Airlines, and I headed to a park with some of the girls and the kids from the team. They all really enjoyed themselves, and I enjoyed watching them. I was great to see kids, who do not speak the same language, having a blast playing together and getting along so well!
After the park, I took the girls back home and headed to meet up with my parents. Together, we headed to my home in the zona sur. They got to see the neighborhood and my new house. They also got to meet David, one of the priests who lives in front of us. David, however, had just gotten bitten by a dog, and started the anti-rabies shots. So, they got to meet David in a panicked state and to see how bad the stray dog situation is here. After, we went to dinner at Sole Mio, my favorite restaurant in Cochabamba! They really enjoyed it! While eatting, my mentor, Steve Judd, came into Sole Mio. So, my parents got to meet my wonderful mentor and talk with him. He knows our cousin, Wayman Deasy, who works for Maryknoll! It was exciting to connect on that level! After a delicious dinner, we returned to their hotel for some sleep.
Today was a very emotional day! We started out with a quick breakfast at the hotel, and then headed to Pedacito del Cielo, the baby home. I was so excited that my parents got to meet the babies and play with them for a little bit. They fell in love with the kids! The kids at Pedacito really took a liking to both my mom and dad! My mom played ball with a few of the little girls and one of the little boys ran into the room and jumped on my dad. It was great to see my parents with the kids!
After a while at the baby home, we headed to the north of Cochabamba. We were going on a "Reality Tour," to see how people are living, to figure out how we can help, and to put things into perspective. Our first stop was at a small house up on the mountain. A grandmother lived there with five grandchildren who were left with her after their mother and father died. Abuelita is very old, and can hardly walk anymore, and only speaks Quechua. We went and visited this family to see how they live and what the reality of their life is. Abuelita and her grandchildren are beautiful! The team brought down some school supplies, toys, and shoes for the grandchildren of Abuelita, and the kids were so appreciative! Abuelita's family was so kind. We ate saltenas and talked with them, while a doctor, who came with us, examined abuelita to see why she is losing mobility. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet this family, but to also see how many people in Bolivia are living.
Our next stop was with a family of seven who live in a tiny room, which is about the size of my room at home. This family lives on the land of another, more wealthy family. The mom takes care of the house and the yard of the more wealthy family. The family we met, however, cannot plant anything in the yard. Planting vegetables and fruits would assist the family greatly, but they cannot plant anything, according to the family who owns the land. Although this family is incredibly poor, they seem very kind and generous. This family really touched me! The mom was extremely grateful for all the food that was brought for lunch and for all the school supplies and toys that were brought for her children. She is a beautiful lady who is raising four boys and one girl in one room, with no bathroom and no shower. It was so humbling to talk with her and get to know the children. She even invited us back to her house for her daughter's birthday in September! My dad was so touched by this family that he gave the mom some bolivianos to help she and her family. My dad embraced the mom and gave her a little money, and tears welled up in both their eyes. It was quite an emotional moment to watch!
Our last stop was Puntiti, a home and school for children with severe mental and physical disabilities. Many of the children here are not mobile, and spend their days in wheelchairs. There are kids as young as one and as old as thirty because there is not home equivalent for adults here in Bolivia. It was so hard walking through the home and seeing these kids. However, the nuns and caretakers at Puntiti give so much love and attention to these kids. Many of the kids who attend the school go home to families at the end of the day. I really enjoyed talking with the kids in the school. There was a Montessori room for the younger kids, and I really lived talking with the kids in this room. Some of the kids in the school are in the "integration" program, which helps them get ready to be in other public and private schools. And, the kids in the school make jewelry and cards that they sell. The profits go towards taking care of the kids at the home and school! My mom and dad were touched by the kids at Puntiti. Although they do not know Spanish, they attempted to communicate with all the kids.
All three places were quite an emotional, humbling experience. I will never forget Abuelita and her family, the family of seven living in a tiny room, and all the babies, kids, teenagers, and adults at Puntiti.
After a long, emotionally draining day, we went to dinner, and ended the day with a cup of mate de coca. The mate was especially enjoyed by my dad! I couldn't be more happy that my parents are here! They are the most supportive parents, and I would not be working here in Bolivia without all their love and support. I am excited to explore Cochabamba with my parents, and create Bolivian memories with them!
After going to Immigration and painting flower pots with a few of the girls from Corazon del Pastor and the Seattle team, I met my parents at their hotel! It was so wonderful to be with them again! It made me realize really how much I have been missing our family time! We decided to get dinner, which was quite a chase since many of the restaurants here are closed on Monday. But, we ended up having a delicious dinner. When we got back to their hotel, we talked and caught up!
Tuesday was quite an exciting day for my parents! We went to breakfast at Cafe Paris in the main plaza. They enjoyed the coffee very much! Then, we had our first pharmacy experience! I had to head to the Cancha to pick-up the kids from the Seattle team and take them to lunch, while my parents headed back to their hotel before meeting us. I was running a little late with the kids, and my parents were standing in front of a popular restaurant on a very busy, main street waiting for us. Students were protesting and rioting in the area because the doors of their school had been locked. The police believed it was getting out of hand, and set off tear gas right outside of the restaurant. So, my parents got teargassed during a student riot! My dad made the comment that during all his years of peace marches and protests, he had never been teargassed. I said, "Bienvenidos a Bolivia!"
After a quick lunch, my parents headed to the airport to claim their luggage that was left in Miami by American Airlines, and I headed to a park with some of the girls and the kids from the team. They all really enjoyed themselves, and I enjoyed watching them. I was great to see kids, who do not speak the same language, having a blast playing together and getting along so well!
After the park, I took the girls back home and headed to meet up with my parents. Together, we headed to my home in the zona sur. They got to see the neighborhood and my new house. They also got to meet David, one of the priests who lives in front of us. David, however, had just gotten bitten by a dog, and started the anti-rabies shots. So, they got to meet David in a panicked state and to see how bad the stray dog situation is here. After, we went to dinner at Sole Mio, my favorite restaurant in Cochabamba! They really enjoyed it! While eatting, my mentor, Steve Judd, came into Sole Mio. So, my parents got to meet my wonderful mentor and talk with him. He knows our cousin, Wayman Deasy, who works for Maryknoll! It was exciting to connect on that level! After a delicious dinner, we returned to their hotel for some sleep.
Today was a very emotional day! We started out with a quick breakfast at the hotel, and then headed to Pedacito del Cielo, the baby home. I was so excited that my parents got to meet the babies and play with them for a little bit. They fell in love with the kids! The kids at Pedacito really took a liking to both my mom and dad! My mom played ball with a few of the little girls and one of the little boys ran into the room and jumped on my dad. It was great to see my parents with the kids!
After a while at the baby home, we headed to the north of Cochabamba. We were going on a "Reality Tour," to see how people are living, to figure out how we can help, and to put things into perspective. Our first stop was at a small house up on the mountain. A grandmother lived there with five grandchildren who were left with her after their mother and father died. Abuelita is very old, and can hardly walk anymore, and only speaks Quechua. We went and visited this family to see how they live and what the reality of their life is. Abuelita and her grandchildren are beautiful! The team brought down some school supplies, toys, and shoes for the grandchildren of Abuelita, and the kids were so appreciative! Abuelita's family was so kind. We ate saltenas and talked with them, while a doctor, who came with us, examined abuelita to see why she is losing mobility. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet this family, but to also see how many people in Bolivia are living.
Our next stop was with a family of seven who live in a tiny room, which is about the size of my room at home. This family lives on the land of another, more wealthy family. The mom takes care of the house and the yard of the more wealthy family. The family we met, however, cannot plant anything in the yard. Planting vegetables and fruits would assist the family greatly, but they cannot plant anything, according to the family who owns the land. Although this family is incredibly poor, they seem very kind and generous. This family really touched me! The mom was extremely grateful for all the food that was brought for lunch and for all the school supplies and toys that were brought for her children. She is a beautiful lady who is raising four boys and one girl in one room, with no bathroom and no shower. It was so humbling to talk with her and get to know the children. She even invited us back to her house for her daughter's birthday in September! My dad was so touched by this family that he gave the mom some bolivianos to help she and her family. My dad embraced the mom and gave her a little money, and tears welled up in both their eyes. It was quite an emotional moment to watch!
Our last stop was Puntiti, a home and school for children with severe mental and physical disabilities. Many of the children here are not mobile, and spend their days in wheelchairs. There are kids as young as one and as old as thirty because there is not home equivalent for adults here in Bolivia. It was so hard walking through the home and seeing these kids. However, the nuns and caretakers at Puntiti give so much love and attention to these kids. Many of the kids who attend the school go home to families at the end of the day. I really enjoyed talking with the kids in the school. There was a Montessori room for the younger kids, and I really lived talking with the kids in this room. Some of the kids in the school are in the "integration" program, which helps them get ready to be in other public and private schools. And, the kids in the school make jewelry and cards that they sell. The profits go towards taking care of the kids at the home and school! My mom and dad were touched by the kids at Puntiti. Although they do not know Spanish, they attempted to communicate with all the kids.
All three places were quite an emotional, humbling experience. I will never forget Abuelita and her family, the family of seven living in a tiny room, and all the babies, kids, teenagers, and adults at Puntiti.
After a long, emotionally draining day, we went to dinner, and ended the day with a cup of mate de coca. The mate was especially enjoyed by my dad! I couldn't be more happy that my parents are here! They are the most supportive parents, and I would not be working here in Bolivia without all their love and support. I am excited to explore Cochabamba with my parents, and create Bolivian memories with them!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Angela!
The first few days of living in the volunteer house have been quite an adventure! But, I have survived and it has kept things interesting. First it was the shower, which now seems to be fixed! Thank goodness! And tonight, the power went out right after I made my dinner. So, I had to eat in the dark by candlelight. Thankfully, the power was not off for too long, and Evan and Sue called to make sure I was okay. Again, I am so lucky to be part of the wonderful, caring Maryknoll community.
Commuting to work has not been bad. Because of the parades celebrating Bolivian independence, getting to work on Thursday and Friday was difficult and time consuming. I do enjoy the bus rides. I have met quite a few very nice people while waiting for buses and riding the buses.
Elaina, a nurse doing her practical at the baby home, has been helping me with my Spanish. In exchange, I am helping her with English. She is extremely nice, and even invited me to eat Pique, a traditional Bolivian dish, with her.
So, things are going well. Just getting used to living outside the city, but enjoying it. I have been cooking everyday, and have made some very good meals. If anyone has easy recipes that require few ingredients and little time, please feel free to send them along!
Recently, I have grown very close to a few of the older girls at the girls' home. Angela is one of these girls. She is so talented artistically, and asks me to save boxes and magazines, newspapers and plastic bottles for her to transform into art. During her vacation, Angela took a class that focused on making art out of materials that are usually thrown away and disregarded. It was a perfect fit for her, considering she gets in trouble for going through the garbage and recycling. Angela really thrived in this class. She was the youngest in the class, but progressed rapidly. After showing her projects she completed, many of the girls expressed interest in learning how to make the vases and boxes she constructed from magazines and newspapers. I have encouraged her to hold an art class for the girls and I!
Angela is a quieter girl. She enjoys doing her art and reading. I love spending time and talking with her. She is very interesting and loves to ask questions about life in the United States. When I told the girls I was moving to another house, she was one of the first to come up and ask why and tell me she was going to miss me.
Although I am really enjoying living in the volunteer house, I miss the girls! I miss having them come into my room at night. We would talk and eat chocolate! But, I still get to see them almost everyday. And, maybe the space between us will bring a new appreciation and love for each other!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Oh, what a day!
Yesterday, I moved into the Maryknoll volunteer house in the southern zone. I spent a good portion of the day unpacking and organizing everything. On August 15th, Tim, another volunteer, will arrive in Cochabamba and become my roommate. It will not only be nice to live with another person who is going through similar experiences--living away from home, volunteering, trying to learn a new culture and way of life, living in another language, etc--but also living in close proximity to the other Maryknoll lay missioners! Sue, Evan, and their 2 daughters, Lauren, Jason, and Steve all live very close to our house!
This morning, my first day living at the volunteer house, was quite an advanture! I got up and got everything ready to take a shower. I got in the shower and could not figure out why it was so hot! After a little while, i heard these weird noises and looked up to find smoke. The shower heads here in Bolivia are plastic, and have coils inside that boil the water so it is hot. If there is not enough water pressure, the coils make the water extremely hot, and it can short out the shower head. So, apparently, this morning there was not enough water pressure, and the shower head shorted out and melted. It was quite a scary experience! I thought the house was going to burn down! I shut off the water and called Dan, my program director immediately. He told me what happened and told me to call Evan, a fellow lay missioner. Evan told me that if I bought a new shower head he could help me fix it! And, he told me to call his wife, Sue, so I shower at their house. So, I walked to Evan and Sue´s house--they live very close, and showered there. Then, I headed into the city to buy a shower head and go to work. It was my first time buying a shower head. Thank goodness Evan told me the kind to get and the price. Just buying the shower head was an interesting experience!
After I bought the shower head, I was heading to the baby home and I ran into a few of the older girls and one of the tias. Tomorrow is Bolivian Independence day, which is a huge holiday here! So, today the different schools participated in a march down one of the main streets here in Cochabamba. A few of the older girls were marching in the parade, and the other girls went to see them and support them! It was great to see the girls, and each one asked how my first night was away from the home. I told them it was good, but I missed the girls a lot! They said they missed me a lot too. We had to part ways because I had to find a bus to take to Pedacito.
When I got to Pedacito there was a birthday celebration, and a few of the younger girls were there to help celebrate! The celebration was held at the site where Pedacito will be moving to soon! It is an absolutely beautiful house with a huge yard where the kids will have a blast playing! We ate cake and had a pinata and played some games with the kids. After, the babies went back to the current site of Pedacito and the girls headed to their house. It was a normal day from there. I played outside with the Pedacito kids, then we got ready for lunch, ate lunch, and got ready to take naps.
So, after the shower incident, the day really turned around when I saw the girls and went to the birthday celebration and spent time with the kids! Also, I realized what a great community Maryknoll is, and how lucky I am to be a part of the Maryknoll community here in Cochabamba! Evan and Sue were both so nice and helpful! it is really great to have wonderful people around to help and support me while I am here!
More adventures to come! Bolivian Independence day is tomorrow, and I am going out to celebrate with a few of the girls I know here. And, my parents are coming so soon! I cannot wait to see them!
This morning, my first day living at the volunteer house, was quite an advanture! I got up and got everything ready to take a shower. I got in the shower and could not figure out why it was so hot! After a little while, i heard these weird noises and looked up to find smoke. The shower heads here in Bolivia are plastic, and have coils inside that boil the water so it is hot. If there is not enough water pressure, the coils make the water extremely hot, and it can short out the shower head. So, apparently, this morning there was not enough water pressure, and the shower head shorted out and melted. It was quite a scary experience! I thought the house was going to burn down! I shut off the water and called Dan, my program director immediately. He told me what happened and told me to call Evan, a fellow lay missioner. Evan told me that if I bought a new shower head he could help me fix it! And, he told me to call his wife, Sue, so I shower at their house. So, I walked to Evan and Sue´s house--they live very close, and showered there. Then, I headed into the city to buy a shower head and go to work. It was my first time buying a shower head. Thank goodness Evan told me the kind to get and the price. Just buying the shower head was an interesting experience!
After I bought the shower head, I was heading to the baby home and I ran into a few of the older girls and one of the tias. Tomorrow is Bolivian Independence day, which is a huge holiday here! So, today the different schools participated in a march down one of the main streets here in Cochabamba. A few of the older girls were marching in the parade, and the other girls went to see them and support them! It was great to see the girls, and each one asked how my first night was away from the home. I told them it was good, but I missed the girls a lot! They said they missed me a lot too. We had to part ways because I had to find a bus to take to Pedacito.
When I got to Pedacito there was a birthday celebration, and a few of the younger girls were there to help celebrate! The celebration was held at the site where Pedacito will be moving to soon! It is an absolutely beautiful house with a huge yard where the kids will have a blast playing! We ate cake and had a pinata and played some games with the kids. After, the babies went back to the current site of Pedacito and the girls headed to their house. It was a normal day from there. I played outside with the Pedacito kids, then we got ready for lunch, ate lunch, and got ready to take naps.
So, after the shower incident, the day really turned around when I saw the girls and went to the birthday celebration and spent time with the kids! Also, I realized what a great community Maryknoll is, and how lucky I am to be a part of the Maryknoll community here in Cochabamba! Evan and Sue were both so nice and helpful! it is really great to have wonderful people around to help and support me while I am here!
More adventures to come! Bolivian Independence day is tomorrow, and I am going out to celebrate with a few of the girls I know here. And, my parents are coming so soon! I cannot wait to see them!
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