This week has definitely not been one of my best, but it is beginning to turn around! It began with a horrible sore throat, a high fever, and very bad neck pain. All of these are symptoms of typhoid fever and/or salmonella, and I was encouraged to get tested for both. Never a good way to start a week, but luckily, after a quick stop at the laboratory, it was confirmed that I had neither typhoid nor salmonella. I decided to also get a throat culture because my throat was far from normal. Tomorrow I will be getting the results, and hope it is nothing too serious. But, being the daughter of my father, I decided to take a trip to the pharmacy for some antibiotics. I opted for the strongest amoxicilan available. Thanks to this medicine, which was under $6 for 30 pills, I am feeling much better! Oh, I will miss the Bolivian pharmacies!
Also, this week has been very trying in other ways:
1. This is my first official week living alone in Cochabamba, Bolivia. From June-August I was living in a room at Corazon del Pastor, the girls' home. Although I was the only volunteer living there, I always had girls coming in and out, and spent a lot of time talking, reading, or playing games with the girls. It was far from lonely. And, from August up until last week I lived in the Maryknoll volunteer house with Tim, another short-term volunteer. So, this week it has been a little strange having no one living with me. However, Juan Francisco and David, the priests who live in front of the volunteer house, come over often to check-in and make sure everything is okay. Having time to myself has given me the opportunity to journal more, listen to music and relax, and devote more time to activities I enjoy and getting to know more people.
2. With Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday, quickly approaching, I seem to be getting more and more home sick. Because, in my opinion, Thanksgiving is really the only holiday that encourages thankfulness and gratitude for family and friends, and especially what we are fortunate to have, I am sad I will not be with my Mom and Dad, and my family and friends. But,distance does not hamper or place a restraint on the love and the gratitude I have for those in my life! As many say, in contrast, distance makes the heart grown fonder! So, even though I will not be present for the carving of the turkey or the serving of the stuffing, I will be thinking of and appreciating all those I love at home!
3. I am getting more and more anxious to head home! In under 6 weeks, I will board a plane to head to San Francisco! Yes, I am so excited to be home and see everyone I have missed dearly. But, I am also nervous to head back to the states. After almost 7 months, I have/will have become accustomed to life in Cochabamba--taking the s or 27 micro to work, shopping in the cancha, speaking Spanish, the kiss on the cheek greeting... However, I think the excitement of seeing everyone and being home for the holidays will overshadow the likely culture shock...I hope!
I have been struggling this week with all these thoughts and emotions. But, I keep reminding myself to enjoy each moment and each day--a goodbye kiss from Guillermo, helping Paty with her homework, reading with Nohemi, laughing and joking with Sofia and Camila, enjoying a meal with the Bolivian tias, who have graciously welcomed me into their lives, daily interactions with neighbors in the barrio. Each minute holds such beauty that I cannot forget to treasure and appreciate these tiny, but amazing moments!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Dia de los Difuntos!
Monday, November 1st we celebrated All Saints Day in Bolivia. This day is to honor all saints, and people who have died that you consider saints. Tuesday, November 2nd was All Soul's day or Dia de los Difuntos. (It is similar to Dia de los Muertos, but in Bolivia the day of celebration is referred to as All Saint's Day! There are many similar traditions to the Day of the Dead practices celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries.) The girls did not have school either day, but we discussed the meaning of both days and the traditions. Some of the girls have lost parents or siblings, and it was a tough time for them.
Tuesday was a feriado, or holiday here, and some volunteers and I had the opportunity to visit the main cemetery in Cochabamba. We took the bus to the area, and there were tons of people--some women and children were selling flowers, mini beverages and food to place in the tombs, huge lunches, wreathes, etc. When we arrived at the cemetery, people were having picnics on the grassy areas, singing songs, decorating the tombs, enjoying the company of family, sharing food and drink together in honor of a loved one. I did notice how many family members were there to support each other!
Unless your family has money, the dead are buried on tombs in the wall. The buildings housing the tombs are one or two stories and have 5 or 6 tombs in a row on top of one another. The wealthier families have huge crypts that are decorated with glass and statues, huge letters and marble. So, even in the cemetery one can witness the difference and the separation between the classes in Cochabamba.
We walked around the cemetery observing and watching the celebrations and decorating.It was amazing to see tons and tons of Cochabambinos out celebrating and remembering the life of someone they loved and cared so much about!
When we exited it was as if we entered another world. On the road outside of the cemetery, huge tents were set up in dedication to loved ones. It was like a festival and a party! The family members were sitting around the display of food and candy, beverages and pictures drinking chicha (a traditional alcoholic beverage), eating huge meals, talking, playing games--just enjoying the family time and celebrating the life of the one they love and miss. The food and decorations set up on tarps and aguayos inside and outside of the cemetery was arranged in a certain order to help guide the spirit.
Visiting the cemetery on All Soul's Day was an incredible experience--taking in the sights and the sounds, the beauty of the celebration and the culture. I was captivated by the dedication to decorating and ensuring that a loved one's spirit was content. Many of the families must have spent so much time and so much money to decorate and provide food and drink to the visiting spirits. It is absolutely incredible how much reverence and respect the Bolivians have for those who have passed away.
Tuesday was a feriado, or holiday here, and some volunteers and I had the opportunity to visit the main cemetery in Cochabamba. We took the bus to the area, and there were tons of people--some women and children were selling flowers, mini beverages and food to place in the tombs, huge lunches, wreathes, etc. When we arrived at the cemetery, people were having picnics on the grassy areas, singing songs, decorating the tombs, enjoying the company of family, sharing food and drink together in honor of a loved one. I did notice how many family members were there to support each other!
Unless your family has money, the dead are buried on tombs in the wall. The buildings housing the tombs are one or two stories and have 5 or 6 tombs in a row on top of one another. The wealthier families have huge crypts that are decorated with glass and statues, huge letters and marble. So, even in the cemetery one can witness the difference and the separation between the classes in Cochabamba.
We walked around the cemetery observing and watching the celebrations and decorating.It was amazing to see tons and tons of Cochabambinos out celebrating and remembering the life of someone they loved and cared so much about!
When we exited it was as if we entered another world. On the road outside of the cemetery, huge tents were set up in dedication to loved ones. It was like a festival and a party! The family members were sitting around the display of food and candy, beverages and pictures drinking chicha (a traditional alcoholic beverage), eating huge meals, talking, playing games--just enjoying the family time and celebrating the life of the one they love and miss. The food and decorations set up on tarps and aguayos inside and outside of the cemetery was arranged in a certain order to help guide the spirit.
Visiting the cemetery on All Soul's Day was an incredible experience--taking in the sights and the sounds, the beauty of the celebration and the culture. I was captivated by the dedication to decorating and ensuring that a loved one's spirit was content. Many of the families must have spent so much time and so much money to decorate and provide food and drink to the visiting spirits. It is absolutely incredible how much reverence and respect the Bolivians have for those who have passed away.
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